Dealing with death abroad

If death occurs abroad, the death should be registered according to the regulations of the country and a death certificate obtained.

The death can also be registered with the British Consul of that country, which will ensure that a certificate of death is sent to the home country.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (opens in a new window) website contains all the relevant contact information.

Repatriation to the UK

To bring a body back to England or Wales you will either need the death certificate or an authorisation for the removal of the body from the country by someone authorised to do so.

To arrange a funeral in England or Wales you will need:

• 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 or 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 documents:

• application for cremation (form A)
• all original documentation from the country where death occurred
• translation documents.

If the death was not natural it will be referred to the coroner who will open an inquest to investigate the cause and circumstance of death.  In this case the coroner will issue form E for cremation.

Repatriation of a deceased body abroad

Some countries will require a Cadaver Certificate before they will allow a body into the country for burial. The certificate, if issued, confirms that no epidemic of infectious disease occurred in the area for some three months preceding the death.

The formality of obtaining the Cadaver Certificate is usually handled by the undertaker making the arrangements on behalf of the relatives. The funeral director will also help with anything requested by the coroner and with the requirements of the authorities in the overseas country to which the deceased is going. Some of these requirements may apply for a burial in other parts of the UK.

Exhuming a deceased body

Exhumations are generally rare and tend to be very traumatic for the family involved. They can take a long time to arrange and are usually expensive. For these reasons, it is always best to consult with all the relatives before proceeding. 

The exhumation of both buried and cremated remains requires a Home Office license or Bishop's Faculty or in some cases both.

Exhumations occur for a number of reasons, including:

• movement from the original grave to a subsequent acquired family plot;
• repatriation overseas to be buried along with other family members;
• transfer from one cemetery scheduled for development to another;
• on the coroner's order for further forensic examination.

Requirements

• an exhumation license contains certain conditions that have to be adhered to
• an Environmental Health Officer must be present at the exhumation of a body to ensure that there is no threat to public health
• if the remains are being interred in another country, the Home Office will need confirmation of the approval for this from the relevant authorities
• occasionally, cadaver certificates are required in addition to an exhumation license
• decency and safety.

An Environmental Health Officer supervises the event to ensure that respect for the deceased is maintained and that public health is protected. The officer will also ensure that:

• the correct grave is opened
• the exhumation commences as early as possible in the morning to ensure maximum privacy
• the plot is screened as appropriate for privacy
• the health and safety of all workers is maintained
• everyone present shows due respect to the deceased and to the adjoining graves
• the nameplate on the casket corresponds to that on the license
• the new casket is approved
• all human remains and all the pieces of casket are placed in the new casket
• the new casket is properly sealed
• the area of exhumation is properly disinfected
• satisfactory arrangements are in place for the onward transmission of the remains.

If the conditions of the license cannot be met, or there are public health or decency concerns, the exhumation may not proceed.