Repatriation Definitions
On our website, we strive to keep our language simple and avoid industry jargon.
If you come across any unclear terms, feel free to consult the list below for explanations.
See some quick links below:
Embalming
Sanitization
Mortuary Facility
Apostille Stamp
Embassy
Air Waybill
Notarised
Consignee
Out of Country
Free from Infection
Medical Certificate of Death
Hermetically Sealed Coffin
Chapel of Rest
Post Mortem
Inquest
Pathologists
Medical Examiner
Cremation Certificate
Death Certificate
Coroner
Alternative Names: Procurator Fiscal (Scotland), Inquest Officer
Definition
A coroner is an independent judicial officer responsible for investigating deaths that are sudden, unexplained, or occur under suspicious circumstances.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation (Prior to Cremation)
Role in Repatriation
Once the death is known the coroner issues the medical certificate required for registering the death and signs the Out of Country certificate, ensuring legal compliance for the transportation of the deceased abroad; they also provide a point of contact for families to discuss the cause of death.
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Embalming
Alternative Names: Body Preservation
Definition
Embalming is the process of preserving a body by delaying the natural effects of death using specialist embalming solutions.
Applies To
Only Body Repatriation
Role in Repatriation
Embalming is often required to preserve the body for transport, as it is a legal requirement for most embassies and airlines, though some religious exceptions may apply.
Sanitization
Alternative Names: Body Cleansing
Definition
This involves cleaning and disinfecting the body to maintain hygiene and reduce the risk of infection to those handling the body.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation (Prior to Cremation)
Role in Repatriation
Sanitization is crucial for body repatriation to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, protect the health of transport personnel and receiving parties, and comply with international health regulations and airline requirements.
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Mortuary Facility
Alternative Names: Morgue
Definition
A mortuary facility is a location, often within a hospital or funeral home, used for the storage of human remains in specialized refrigeration units to delay decomposition.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation (Prior to Cremation)
Role in Repatriation
The mortuary facility prepares the body for repatriation, including sanitization, embalming, and secure storage until transportation.
Apostille Stamp
Alternative Names: Apostille Seal, Apostille Certificate
Definition
An apostille is a form of authentication that simplifies the legalization of public documents for international recognition among countries in the 1961 Hague Convention.
Applies To
Body & Ashes Repatriation
Role in Repatriation
An apostille is required by some countries for documents such as death certificates, cremation certificates, embalming certificates, and Out of Country certificates, issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Air Waybill
Alternative Names: AWB, Air Consignment Note, Air Cargo Document
Definition
An Air Waybill (AWB) is a legal document issued by an airline or its agent, serving as a contract of carriage for goods transported by air.
Applies To
Body & Ashes Repatriation
Role in Repatriation
The Air Waybill facilitates the tracking of a coffin or ashes from one airport to another. We provide this during the process.
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Embassy
Alternative Names: High Commission, Consulate, Consulate Office, Consulate General
Definition
An Embassy is the main diplomatic mission of a country, located in the capital city of a host country, and led by an Ambassador.
Applies To
Body & Ashes Repatriation
Role in Repatriation
Their role in repatriation involves issuing certificates, verifying documentation, providing legal clearances, and coordinating with local authorities.
Although we primarily work with consular offices to obtain certificates, we use the term ‘Embassy’ on our website for simplicity, as the term is more widely recognized.
Notarised
Alternative Names: Certified Document
Definition
A notarised document is a document that has been officially verified by a notary public or solicitor.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation
Role in Repatriation
It is mandatory in some embassies and countries to ensure legitimacy and authenticity.
Chapel of Rest
Alternative Names: Viewing room, Visitation room, Memorial chapel, Quiet Room
Definition
A designated area within a funeral home or private space where family and friends can visit and pay respects to their loved one before the repatriation.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation
Role in Repatriation
The chapel of rest provides a private space for families to view and reflect on the deceased, offering closure before the body or ashes are prepared for transportation.
Out of Country
Alternative Names: Out of England (OOE), Form 104
Definition
A form indicating the intent to move a body or ashes out of the country.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation
Role in Repatriation
This certificate, signed by the local coroner, permits the body or ashes to leave the country.
Free from Infection
Alternative Names: Certificate of Health, FFI
Definition
An official document issued by a qualified medical professional or health authority, certifying that the deceased does not pose a public health risk due to infectious diseases.
Applies To
Only Body Repatriation
Role in Repatriation
The FFI certificate is required by airlines and the destination country to ensure the deceased does not pose a public health risk, facilitating safe transportation and compliance with health standards.
Medical Certificate of Death
Alternative Names: Cause of Death Certificate, MCCD
Definition
A Medical Certificate of Death is an official document issued by a qualified medical professional confirming the identity of the deceased and specifying the cause, date, and place of death.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation (Prior to Cremation)
Role in Repatriation
This document is required to obtain the official death certificate from the local council, which is a vital prerequisite for repatriation.
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Hermetically Sealed Coffin
Alternative Names: Sealed Coffin, Airtight Coffin
Definition
A hermetically sealed coffin is a specialized coffin designed to be airtight and leak-proof, often lined with metal or zinc to prevent the escape of air, fluids, or contaminants.
Applies To
Only Body Repatriation
Role in Repatriation
A hermetically sealed coffin ensures compliance with airline and customs regulations by providing a secure and sanitary method for transporting a deceased individual internationally.
Consignee
Alternative Names: Recipient, Cargo Receiver
Definition
A Consignee is the individual, company, or entity designated to receive the body or Ashes at their destination.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation
Role in Repatriation
Confirmation is required from the consignee, typically a funeral director in the destination country. Airlines will not transport a body without prior confirmation.
Post Mortem
Alternative Names: Autopsy, Cause of Death Investigation, Forensic Examination, Post-Mortem Examination
Definition
A post-mortem is a medical examination of a deceased individual’s body to determine the cause of death.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation (Prior to Cremation)
Role in Repatriation
The post-mortem plays a crucial role in repatriation by establishing the official cause of death, which is a prerequisite for obtaining necessary documentation such as the death certificate, though it can delay the repatriation.
Inquest
Alternative Names: Coroner’s Investigation, Forensic Investigation, Coroners Inquests
Definition
An inquest is a public legal inquiry, sometimes with a jury, ordered by a coroner to investigate deaths that are violent, unnatural, occur in custody, or remain unexplained after a post-mortem.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation (Prior to Cremation)
Role in Repatriation
An inquest establishes the cause of death.
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Pathologists
Alternative Names: Forensic Pathologist, Post-Mortem Specialist, Autopsy Specialist
Definition
A medical professional who studies the causes of death and effects of diseases, often performing post-mortem examinations for diagnostic or forensic purposes.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation (Prior to Cremation)
Role in Repatriation
Pathologists perform post-mortem examinations to determine the cause of death. This critical step provides the essential documentation required to obtain the death certificate,
Medical Examiner
Alternative Names: Medical Doctor
Definition
A Medical Examiner is a senior medical doctor who provides independent scrutiny of deaths not investigated by coroners.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation (Prior to Cremation)
Role in Repatriation
Medical Examiners ensure the accuracy of the cause of death and can issue a medical certificate, which is used to register the death.
Cremation Certificate
Alternative Names: Certificate of Cremation
Definition
A cremation certificate is an official document issued by the crematorium, confirming that the deceased has been cremated in accordance with local laws and regulations.
Applies To
Only Ashes Repatriation
Role in Repatriation
In the repatriation process, this certificate is required when transporting ashes internationally, serving as proof of the contents within the container or urn and facilitating the issuance of other key documents.
Death Certificate
Alternative Names: Certificate of Death, Death Registration Certificate, Mortality Certificate
Definition
A death certificate is an official document issued by a government authority that confirms the identity of the deceased, the date, location, and cause of death.
Applies To
Body Repatriation & Ashes Repatriation (Prior to Cremation)
Role in Repatriation
A death certificate is a critical legal requirement for transporting a body or ashes across international borders and is used to obtain additional documents needed to start the process.
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