Ashes Repatriation

Cremated remains are not eligible for shipment via Royal Mail or standard national and international courier services such as DHL. The transportation of ashes must be conducted either in person by a funeral director or through specialised cargo services designated for this purpose.

The primary methods for repatriating ashes typically involve either personal handling or cargo transportation which are both provided by us. See more about each type below.

Personal Handling: Choosing the personal handling option through Rosy International combines speed with respect. While this may be the more costly route, it assures the utmost dignity for families. A dedicated Rosy International agent will personally carry the ashes from door to door, providing a compassionate and personal touch.

Cargo Transportation: Opting for cargo transportation might take longer, as it typically involves more rules and regulations when transporting ashes. Although this method may be more economical depending on the destination, it does not offer the same level of personal connection.

The repatriation process differs depending on whether it's handled via cargo or personally, as outlined below.

Ashes repatriation Process for Cargo
Notification and Documentation: Collect all essential paperwork, including the death certificate, cremation certificate, and any other permits mandated by local laws. For example, in France, a 'laisser-passer' document is required to allow the ashes to cross international borders; the term 'laisser-passer' translates to 'let pass.

Suitable Container: We will supply a secure, specially-designed container for transport that complies with all applicable regulations, including being x-ray proof and sealed.

Coordination with airlines and Customs: Work closely with the airline and customs officials to ensure all regulations are met. This involves detailed paperwork and compliance with specific country rules.

Transportation to Airport: The ashes are then carefully conveyed to the airport, where we hand them over to the airline's specialised cargo department, at the cargo terminal.



Receiving and Final Delivery: Upon arrival in the destination country, either a consignee, who may be the next of kin, or a Rosy International agent will collect the ashes from the airport and deliver them to the final location. It's crucial to discuss this step with us, as failure to promptly pick up the ashes could result in their retention, loss, or destruction. Please call us to discuss this important step if you wish to collect them from the airport yourself.

Ashes repatriation Process for Personal handling
Gathering Necessary Documents: Assemble all required documentation, including identification, death and cremation certificates, and any necessary permits.

Assigned a Dedicated Agent: Our dedicated agent from Rosy International will be assigned to personally carry the ashes.

Door-to-Door Coordination: Our agent takes responsibility for the ashes, personally transporting them from the pickup location (e.g. a crematorium) to the final destination (e.g. your home).

Compliance with Airline and Customs: Airport security requires that the container be x-ray proof. Specific airlines, such as RyanAir, dictate that the ashes must be stored in a small box container and must be carried as hand luggage, as they are not permitted in checked luggage.

Final Delivery: Our agent will personally deliver the ashes to the specified recipient or final resting place. Please provide the location details when making your booking.

Throughout the whole process you will be able to track the stages of the repatriation

The duration required to repatriate ashes can vary due to several factors. Please find some of these reasons outlined below.

Paperwork and Collection
After obtaining the cremation certificate from the crematorium, it usually takes between 2 to 3 days to acquire the required permits for the ashes to exit the country from local authorities. Occasionally, this may involve visiting embassies or local government offices, potentially extending the overall timeline.

Although not all countries or airlines mandate the presentation of a death certificate, we do ask for it as a precaution to ensure a seamless and problem-free process. Hence, we recommend keeping a copy readily available.

Flight and Delivering
The flight duration will fluctuate based on the pickup and drop-off locations, but there are inherent differences between cargo airlines and commercial airlines used for personal service. These differences can affect the overall transit time, regardless of the country.

Availability
The method of repatriation chosen for the ashes can affect the speed of transportation, whether it's through shipment or as a passenger. With commercial airlines, once the necessary documents are secured, you can easily book a flight using platforms like Skyscanner. In contrast, cargo airlines often require additional information about the package, such as its size and weight, and typically don't offer the convenience of an online booking platform like Skyscanner.

The expenses for repatriating ashes differ depending on whether it's a personal or cargo service. For personal ashes repatriation, prices range between £1245 and £1585 with Albania being the cheapest and Albania being the most expensive.

With cargo repatriation, costs are around £1200. It's important to note that these figures don't include fluctuating travel expenses, which depend on factors like flight date, time, and availability.

For cargo repatriation, the variable cost between countries is mainly the airline's freight fees. On the other hand, with personal handling services, both the chaperone fees and flight costs will fluctuate depending on the distance travelled.

For instant quotes and additional information, please get an instant quote online or call us now.