Body Repatriation Costs: A Complete Breakdown of Fees

The cost of repatriating a body can vary significantly, with expenses ranging from £1315 to £2614 (excluding flight costs).

Flight costs are one of the most significant factors, which are explained on this page.

Understanding the cost to repatriate a body is essential for proper planning. There are numerous factors that contribute to these costs, including transportation, legal requirements, and the type of coffin or casket selected.

To provide a clearer understanding, we have broken down these elements in detail below. Please note that the figures mentioned here are based on repatriation from the UK and Ireland.

Death Certificate Costs

Description: A death certificate is a crucial document required for repatriation, serving as official proof of the person’s passing. It is necessary to start the process, and you should ideally already have a death certificate before proceeding.

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

Note: We recommend obtaining 4-5 copies of the death certificate for repatriation and to settle the estate.

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Private Ambulance Costs

Description: Ambulance fees cover the transportation of the body from the place of death to the mortuary and to the airport.

Typical Costs: Collection from the place of death typically starts at £220 to £240 within a 30-mile radius, with an additional charge of £1.50 per mile beyond that.

Delivery to the airport also incurs similar fees.

Embalming Costs

Description: Embalming is used to preserve the body. It is often required by most countries, though some exceptions exist based on religious beliefs.

Typical Costs: Embalming typically costs between £200 and £400.

Free from Infection Certificate (FFI) Costs

Description: An FFI certifies that the remains are safe for transportation and pose no risk of spreading diseases.

Typical Costs: The cost of obtaining an FFI is generally between £80 and £150.

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Coffin & Casket Costs

Description: The cost of a coffin or casket is an important factor in repatriation, especially when considering premium options or specific country requirements.

Typical Costs: Standard coffins range from £600 to £900, while premium options can cost anywhere between £1,500 to £20,000.

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Out of Country Certificate Costs

Description: This certificate, known by various names such as “Out of England” in England & Wales, “Out of Scotland” in Scotland, or simply the “Out of Country Certificate,” is required for the legal transportation of a body out of the country.

Typical Costs: The cost for obtaining this certificate is minimal, and in most cases, we provide it free of charge.

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Legalisation of Documents Costs

Description: Legalising documents with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) ensures their international validity and acceptance. Usually, only the death certificate needs legalisation, though some countries may require additional documents.

Typical Costs: Legalisation typically costs between £80 and £100 per document.

Translation of Documents Costs

Description: Some countries require documents to be translated, such as Greece, where all documentation must be submitted in both English and Greek.

Typical Costs: Translation costs typically range from £40 to £80 per document.

We arrange all necessary translations to ensure compliance with local regulations.

Notary Services Costs

Description: In certain cases, documents need to be validated by a solicitor or a notary public to confirm their authenticity.

Typical Costs: The cost for notary services ranges between £50 and £100 per document.

Embassy Costs

Description: For some countries, the repatriation process requires embassy involvement, which may include completing paperwork and, in certain instances, presenting the coffin for sealing at the embassy.

Country-Specific Requirements: Embassy procedures differ depending on the destination. In some cases, our team is required to attend the embassy in person, which may involve presenting the coffin for sealing. However, other countries may not require embassy involvement in the process at all.

Typical Costs: The embassy fee ranges from no charge to £100. Our attendance fee varies between £200 and £400, depending on whether transporting the coffin to the embassy is required.

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Funeral Director’s Declaration Costs

Description: This document is provided by us to declare the services offered, including details about the contents within the coffin.

Typical Costs: This declaration does not cost you anything.

Air Transport Costs

Description: The cost of air transport varies based on the distance to the final destination, the weight of the body and coffin, and other factors like the time of year.

Typical Costs: The cost to transport a human body abroad ranges from £1,150 to £15,000.

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Professional Service Costs

Description: Professional fees cover the coordination and organisation of the entire repatriation process, including document preparation and logistics.

Typical Costs: These fees range from £850 to £3,000, depending on the complexity of the arrangements. Our team ensures every aspect of the process is handled with care and professionalism.

Storage Costs

Description: Storage fees apply when the body needs to remain in a mortuary facility for an extended period. Since the average repatriation process takes around 7 to 14 days, these fees are typically minimal.

Typical Costs: Generally, there is a free period of one month, after which weekly charges ranging from £10 to £50 may apply.

Other Costs to Consider

• Local Funeral Costs: Depending on the country, local funeral costs can range from £1,000 to £10,000.
• Consignee Fees: Normally no costs as it is included with the local funeral arrangements.
• Hospital or Police Fees: If there are any outstanding bills to be paid, such as for private care, these can usually be paid from the deceased’s estate.

Hidden Costs and Transparency

When considering the costs of repatriation, it is crucial to be aware of potential hidden fees that can arise throughout the process.

Some companies may initially provide an estimate, have you sign the agreement documents, and then significantly increase the final bill. To avoid such surprises, always ensure that you receive a signed and fully itemised quote that clearly outlines each service included.