Ashes Repatriation Costs: A Complete Breakdown of Fees

The cost of repatriating ashes can vary significantly, with prices ranging from £550 to £1259 (excluding flight costs). Numerous factors contribute to these costs, including transportation, legal requirements, and the type of service you require.

Cost Before Repatriation

Death Certificate

Description: A death certificate is an essential document for repatriation, serving as an official confirmation of a person’s passing. It is required to initiate the process, and ideally, you should have the death certificate ready beforehand.

Typical Costs: If a death certificate is not already available, you will need to register the death at the local council office. The cost per copy is approximately £11 in England and Wales, £10 in Scotland, and £15 in Northern Ireland.

It is advisable to obtain 4-5 copies of the death certificate to facilitate the repatriation process and handle estate matters.

The Cremation Fee

Description: This service involves the respectful cremation process, transforming the body into ashes.

Typical Costs: The cost of cremation varies based on the type of service, ranging from £1,150 to £3,500.

The Repatriation Costs

Pickup Costs

Description: Covers the collection of ashes from a crematorium, your home, or any other location and transportation to our facility.

Typical Costs: Starts at £220 to £240 within a 30-mile radius, with an additional £1.50 per mile for distances beyond that.

Urn Costs

Description: This is the container used to hold the ashes for transportation.

Country-Specific Requirements: While crematoriums typically provide a standard cardboard container, these often do not comply with the regulations of the destination country. In such cases, a specially designed wooden urn box is required.

Service-Specific Requirements: If ashes are being transported by cargo, a wooden urn is mandatory to meet international shipping standards.

Typical Costs: For country-specific requirements, a wooden urn may cost between £200 and £300. When transporting ashes by cargo, the use of a wooden urn is essential and must be factored into the cost.

Avoid purchasing a premium urn from the crematorium, as it may not meet international requirements.

Document Legalisation Costs

Description: Legalising documents through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) ensures they are valid and accepted internationally. While the death certificate is usually the only document requiring legalisation, some countries may need additional paperwork.

Typical Costs: The cost is typically £80 to £100 per document for same-day processing.

We manage the entire legalisation process on your behalf, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.

Translation Costs

Description: Certain countries require documents to be translated into their local language.

Typical Costs: Translation services usually cost between £40 and £80 per document.

We handle all required translations, ensuring your documents meet the necessary local regulations.

Out of Country Certificate Costs

Description: This certificate, referred to as “Out of England” in England & Wales, “Out of Scotland” in Scotland, or simply the “Out of Country Certificate,” is essential for legally transporting a body out of the country.

Typical Costs: The cost is minimal, and in most cases, we provide it at no charge.

Notary Services Costs

Description: Some documents require validation by a solicitor or notary public to ensure their authenticity.

Typical Costs: Notary services typically cost £50 to £100 per document.
Note: We take care of this process, ensuring all documents are properly authenticated.

Consular Fees and Requirements

Description: Some countries require embassy involvement in the repatriation process, which may include completing documentation and, in certain cases, presenting the urn or casket for sealing.

Country-Specific Requirements: Embassy procedures vary by destination. In some instances, in-person attendance at the embassy by our team is required. This may include presenting the urn or casket for sealing. Whereas some countries are not involved in the process.

Typical Costs: The embassy charges a fee ranging from free to £100. Our fee for attending the embassy and managing this part of the process is £200.

Funeral Director’s Declaration Costs

Description: This document, issued by us, outlines the services provided and specifies the contents of the urn.
Typical Costs: This declaration is provided free of charge.

Air Transport Costs

Description: Air transport costs cover the transportation of ashes by plane and depend on factors such as the destination’s distance, the weight of the ashes, and the time of year.

Typical Costs: Cargo airline fees for transporting ashes typically range from £400 to £1,000. If ashes are transported via a commercial flight with a Rosy International agent, the fees may be slightly higher.

Depending on how close the final destination is transportation may be entirely by land.

Professional Service Costs

Description: These fees encompass the management and coordination of the entire repatriation process, including document preparation and logistical arrangements.

Typical Costs: Professional fees range from £550 to £1,000, depending on the complexity of the arrangements. Our experienced team ensures every detail is managed with precision and care.

Hidden Costs and Transparency

Understanding potential hidden fees is essential when planning for repatriation costs.

Some companies may provide an initial estimate and then later increase the final costs substantially. To avoid unexpected charges, always request a signed, fully itemized quote that clearly details every service included in the cost.