If someone has died in this country from overseas the family may wish the deceased’s funeral to take place in the home country. Sending bodies abroad requires a large amount of paperwork. Only the coroner can give permission for a body to be moved out of England or Wales. Permission must be obtained at least four days before the body is to be moved (at the coroner’s discretion). A Removal Notice (form 104) will be issued and part of this will be sent to the registrar. This procedure applies in all cases where the body is to be moved out of England or Wales not just where the death was referred to the coroner.
The deceased must be embalmed to a standard suitable for overseas travel. They must then be sealed in a zinc-lined coffin. The specific paperwork required and regulations are dependent on the destination country and you should check with the relevant consular office.
If a death occurs abroad, the death should be registered according to the local regulations of that country and a Death Certificate should be obtained. To bring a body back to England or Wales you will need either the Death Certificate or an authorisation for the removal of the body from the country of death by someone authorised to do so.
An authenticated translation of a Death Certificate showing the cause of death and A Certificate of No Liability to Register from the registrar in England and Wales.
This certificate must be obtained from the registrar in whose area it is intended to bury or cremate the deceased.
To arrange a cremation, a cremation order from the Home Office or a form E from the coroner will be required. If the death was from natural causes, the Home Office will require the following documentation;
If the death was not natural it will be referred to the coroner who will open an inquest to investigate the cause and circumstances of death. In this case the coroner will issue form E for cremation.
To arrange a burial the Certificate of No Liability to Register is all that is required.
Accessibility Guideline Notes
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