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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.