What is Repatriation?
If the death of a loved one occurs in a foreign country or a British National wishes to be buried in their home country, repatriation is the process that ensures they are returned to their preferred country for their final arrangements.
The exact circumstances of the repatriation can differ, but for most families, their loved one will be returned home within ten to fifteen days.
No matter what has happened, our team can assist in planning every detail, from the repatriation itself to the attended or unattended funeral service upon their return.
Our Repatriation Services
We understand the difficulties faced and the fear of the unknown should you lose someone especially if they are not in their home country. We aim to guide you through the process with no additional stress. Our experienced team will liaise with the authorities on your behalf and keep you fully informed throughout.
Should your loved one pass away on holiday, the first thing we advise is to please check with the travel insurance company. Most will have repatriation cover, so will likely deal with the repatriation for you.
If your travel insurance doesn’t include repatriation or you were not insured, please contact us here in the UK as soon as you can and we will support and advise you throughout the undertaking.
Our repatriation service includes:
- Translation services
- Transfer and care of the deceased
- Embalming before repatriation out of the UK
- Wrapping/crating of the coffin or casket
- Preparation of documentation and permits
- Transport and vehicle provision
Here at Brunel Funeral Directors, we aim to make this as easy as we can for you. So, if you have any questions, please speak to us for an initial conversation.
What to do if a loved one passes away while overseas
If someone dies abroad, there are a series of steps you need to take to ensure the relevant officials are informed and begin repatriation.
Notify the local authorities
In most cases, you can call the local emergency services immediately to inform them. However, if the death of your loved one has occurred in a hospital or medical setting, the staff there will likely do this for you.
This is essential as you will need a death certificate for the upcoming legal and administrative processes.
Speak to the British embassy, high commission, or consulate
The embassy, high commission, or consulate will guide you through the legal requirements abroad and can likely assist with:
- Repatriation arrangements
- Getting an English-language death certificate
- Informing you of your rights while in a foreign country
- Arranging translation services
- Liaising with any necessary local authorities
We also recommend you contact us at this point so we can help support you with our professional and dignified service.
Speak to your travel insurance company
If you or your loved one has travel insurance or any relevant insurance policies, approach the insurance provider as soon as possible.
They may be able to assist with financial support that can be used to cover the cost of repatriation and funeral expenses or direct you to UK or global charities that can help. Plus, most travel insurance policies include repatriation cover.
Make the repatriation arrangements
Repatriation relies on international transport from the country you are currently in, back to the UK. Your embassy may support you with this or recommend a local funeral director to help with this.
In the case of a local funeral director, when you know who this is, please pass us their contact details, including their business name, full address, email, and telephone number, so we can collate all of the necessary paperwork and liaise with the airlines to get quotes for the return of your loved one.
At this time, the local funeral director may require the passport of the deceased, assist you with the death certificate, and liaise with us directly, so you’ll be able to take a little time to process all that has happened.
Contact family members
At this time, we recommend reaching out to close family members back in the UK to inform them of the situation.
This ensures you have the emotional support you need and will also help with decisions regarding final arrangements upon your return.
Decide on funeral arrangements
At this time, the team from Brunel Funeral Directors will support you in choosing the right kind of service for your friend or family member once repatriation is complete and they arrive back in the UK.
This can include:
- Attended services – which allow people to say goodbye in person
- Unattended funerals – sometimes referred to as direct cremation, these services allow you to honour the wishes of your loved one in a more private way
- Celebrations of Life – giving you the freedom to celebrate in a way that reflects the individuality and spirit of your loved one
This could include ceremonies that include religion, treasured objects, a request from your loved one themselves, or even memorial objects and jewellery. But, for more ways to say goodbye and get some closure, feel free to speak to the team.
Contact Brunel Funerals for help with repatriation
If you require assistance with repatriation services or arranging a funeral in a foreign country, Brunel Funeral Directors are here to support you.
Our compassionate team understands the complexities of repatriation and is dedicated to guiding you through every step of the process, ensuring a respectful and dignified return.
Please contact us to learn more about our repatriation assistance and how we can support you and your family. You can reach us via email at admin@brunelfd.co.uk or call 0117 374 2002.