Repatriation Services

Name: Brunel Independent Funeral Directors
Address: 3 Concorde Dr, Bristol, BS10 6PZ, UK
Telephone: 0117 374 2002
Price range: ££

If you lose someone suddenly, especially if they are not in their home country, Brunel Funeral Directors can offer advice and help with our in-house repatriation service.

Home > Funeral Services > Repatriation Services

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.

Enquire Now

Repatriation FAQs

Can you repatriate a patient?

Repatriation is also possible for unwell patients who are unable to access the standard of care needed or who cannot access suitable treatment types in a hospital in another country. It is possible to repatriate these patients with specialist transportation methods – though it is likely to be accompanied by a very large cost.

This form of foreign repatriation is not offered by Brunel Funeral Directors, however. Instead, we focus on bringing your loved one home from trips or holidays abroad who need to have their final send-off in the UK.

For more information, call us on 0117 374 2002 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or by email at admin@brunelfd.co.uk. Just get in touch and our specialists will help in this difficult time.

How much are repatriation flights?

The cost associated with foreign flights used to repatriate loved ones depends on the airline used.

In most cases, however, if you have travel insurance, the cost of bringing your friend or family member home to the UK will generally be covered or reimbursed at a later date.

If you are struggling to access bespoke advice about the transfer of your loved one, consider speaking to the specialists here at Brunel Funerals. We are happy to liaise with local government or officials on your behalf and include management of the repatriation plan as part of our services.

Is it possible to repatriate from all nations or is transfer limited to certain countries?

Absolutely not. No matter where your loved one was located, departure can be arranged to bring them back to their country of origin – be this in London or from the UK to another nation.

For very remote locations, it can be more complex to arrange repatriation procedures which can lead to slight delays. However, we will use all of our resources and connections to carry your loved one home peacefully and respectfully so they can attend their final services to celebrate their life.

So, please don’t worry that your friend or family member won’t be suitable or be covered.

For more advice, call us on 0117 374 2002 and we will find a solution for you – no matter where you are in the world.

Read Our Reviews

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Steve Warren 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thanks to all the team, Mum's funeral went brilliantly, they supported us through out the process at this difficult time.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Nicola Mills 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently entrusted Brunel Funeral Directors with our dear dad’s funeral, and from the very first phone call we felt supported, calm and listened to. Louise guided us through the arrangements with such gentleness and clarity, and she matched us with a celebrant who truly understood our family and what mattered to us.

On the day itself, Chris was considerate, organised and quietly reassuring — helping make an incredibly difficult and emotional day feel a little more bearable. Every detail was handled with care, respect and professionalism.

At a time when you need kindness and steady guidance, Brunel provided exactly that. We would definitely recommend them. Thank you from all Teds family x
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   James 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We used Brunel Funeral Directors after loosing my father and couldn’t have asked for a more caring and attentive service. We opted for a cremation only service and after making an enquiry with the national company that comes up everywhere was glad to find Brunel Funeral Directors local to us, a huge difference in even the first phone call. At no point were we left without a full understanding of what was happening next and the team went at the pace our family needed. Would highly recommend them to take care of your loved one when the time arrives.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Michael Brunton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. To the team at Brunel Funeral Directors, Thank you, Thanks for the support over the past few weeks and making my dad's funeral as smooth as an occasion possibly be. Thank you for the support you have shown myself and especially towards my mum, we greatly appreciate it.

We came to Brunel with the unknown, We didn't know what to do or how to do it, The advise Louise gave to us helped us progress stuff in an already difficult time, All the team we met are incredibly friendly, Kind and caring ensuring that our loved one was looked after every step of the way.  They picked the perfect celebrant for us and catered to our needs every step of the way, Many thanks Brunel & all the best for the future.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Wooky 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Staff at Brunel Funeral Directors are Kind, Compassionate, Friendly and is a team where your loved one will be looked after every step of the way & this includes the family too! The passing of my dad was very tough & is still extremely raw, But the team here helped every step of the way, The advise they provided, The kind words, The openness are all something we really appreciated. No question is a silly question and they will help every step of the way! Please use this Funeral Directors and as they are the best in Bristol!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lisa Grant 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Honestly I'm not sure how I would of coped without the care and compassion this amazing team have given me after losing my husband. As a family we felt we weren't just a number. We were a family grieving! And this was portrayed in the way they spoke to us & how they listened to us! I felt like I've known them all my life. They were fantastic and I can't thank them enough. They made the most painful time of my life bearable in the best way they could. So thank you everyone for not just being there for me but Simon too.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Kerrystadds Kerry 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely amazing send off for our MUM on 29th July 2026, From start to finish everything was perfect. We as a family would highly recommend Brunel funeral. Louise, Chris  & their team were very attentive,  professional, warm, understanding & we all felt really relaxed & at ease, the whole process was so smooth & thoughtful, we even got to choose the colour of Chris and Craig's ties and hankies. I could go on & on. Absolutely genuinely compassionate people doing what they love ❤️ x x x
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jessica King 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My mum, myself and our family want to say a massive thank you to  EVERYONE at brunel funeral directors. From start to finish you all have made my gramps day/last journey so special. From first meeting Louise, she was brilliant, down to earth, she listened, talked us through everything. Highly recommend!  Thank you again From the King family
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Katy Vincent 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From the very first phone call the team at Brunel were so helpful. Everything was arranged with ease, efficiency, care and dignity. Louise matched us with a great celebrant for the service and this was beautiful.
A special mention to Chris who was calm and personable when he collected Mum and very professional during the service  despite melting in his uniform in the 30 degree heat.
I would highly recommend Brunel Independent Funeral Directors.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   pat prior 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We cannot fault the care and attention we received from everyone at Brunel Funeral Directors. Our situation was unusual in that it was mainly friends  involved with the organisation, as family live at a distance and abroad. Also that it involved a burial almost an hour away. Add to that an amber weather alert. However, at every stage Chris and his team were wonderful, cool, calm and efficient, from the office to the idyllic burial spot.