The cost of repatriation and how to pay for it
The death of a loved one abroad can be devastating.
But it’s another thing to worry about the cost of repatriation, or understanding where to begin with understanding it all. So, how much does repatriation of a body cost? The answer is that repatriation costs can range from around £3,000 to £10,000 or more depending on the country involved.
This guide breaks down some of the processes, costs and methods of repatriation involved, as well as what to expect and ways of helping to cover those costs.
The process of repatriation
When someone dies overseas, there needs to be a process of repatriating them back home to the UK from another country.
This can also be the case if a loved one needs medical attention back in the country they are from.
This can be an unfamiliar system to navigate and includes several steps, including the death, postmortem, bringing the body to the UK and getting help from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). If you’re notified about the death by someone else, for example, a tour operator, you should phone the FCDO yourself, and they will be able to keep you informed and help with arrangements.
If you’re abroad when someone dies, you should contact the nearest British embassy, High Commission or consulate. They’ll be able to give you advice on what to do for body repatriation to the UK. If you’re on a package holiday you should tell your package organiser’s representative in the resort as soon as you can.
A postmortem is a medical examination of the person who died, and this may also need to be done. The local authorities may carry out a postmortem to help find out what caused the death and to gather evidence if the death appears suspicious. Local authorities do not usually need permission to do this.
You will then need to register the death. You must register the death in the country where the person died. In many countries you can also register the death with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the UK.
Once you begin the process of organising a funeral, you’ll need to consider how you want the send-off to be arranged.
You can either arrange to have the funeral overseas or for the body to be returned to the UK. This is known as repatriation. If you want the funeral to be held in the UK you will need to use international undertakers who can advise you about the arrangements.
Factors affecting the cost of repatriation
There are several steps to repatriating a loved one.
Each stage has its own individual cost. These costs can include:
- Flight costs and transportation logistics
- Involvement of medical teams and their expenses
- Death certificates cost £12.50 per certified copy in England and Wales, £15 in Scotland and Northern Ireland, with standard GRO online orders processed in approximately 4 working days
- Burial or cremation
- Funeral and wake costs
While funeral costs can vary depending on size, venue, etc., you can get support in paying for one.
How much does repatriation cost?
Costs for body repatriation to the UK vary significantly depending on the destination, distance and complexity of the arrangements. There is no single fixed price: specialist international funeral directors generally provide a case-by-case quotation based on the circumstances.
Typical indicative costs are:
- Western Europe: around £3,000 and £6,000, excluding UK funeral costs.
- Long-haul destinations: around £6,000 and £12,000 or more, depending on the country, airline charges and complexity.
- Repatriation of ashes: typically £1,000 and £3,000, generally considerably less than transporting a body.
These are indicative ranges rather than guaranteed prices. Specialist providers currently quote varying figures depending on the destination and services included. Homeland International notes that while most repatriations typically cost £3,000 to £6,000, costs for more distant destinations can be considerably higher; for example, repatriations to or from China typically range from £12,000 to £20,000.
Several factors can affect the final cost. These include the distance and number of flights required, embalming and preparation, which is commonly required for international transport, local mortuary and funeral director fees, official paperwork and certified translations, consular authorisation, specialist coffin requirements for air transport and collection, reception and handling costs in the UK.
Families should therefore obtain a detailed quotation that makes clear which services and fees are included. If travel insurance is in place, it is also worth checking whether repatriation is covered under the policy.
Getting multiple quotes from specialist repatriation funeral directors is strongly recommended, as pricing can vary between providers.
Medical repatriation costs to the UK
If someone becomes seriously ill or is injured abroad and needs to return to the UK for treatment, this is known as medical repatriation or medical evacuation. Depending on their condition, it may involve a stretcher on a commercial flight with a medical escort or, in more serious cases, a dedicated air ambulance.
Indicative costs can vary considerably:
- Commercial flight with medical escort: generally the more affordable option, suitable for patients who are stable enough to travel seated or on a stretcher within a commercial aircraft.
- Air ambulance: according to the Association of British Insurers, costs can range from around £10,000 to £30,000 for transfers within Europe, £50,000 to £100,000 from the USA, and £150,000 or more from Asia or Australia.
Medical repatriation is commonly covered by travel insurance, with comprehensive policies generally including it as a standard benefit. Some policies may also cover a companion’s travel and accommodation while the patient is receiving treatment abroad.
If a medical emergency occurs, contact your travel insurer as soon as possible. They will usually coordinate repatriation through their approved providers. Without insurance, the FCDO’s 24-hour helpline can advise on available options.
How to cover the cost of repatriation
There are various ways to cover the cost of repatriation.
This can be as simple as it being covered in your travel insurance. When this isn’t the case, there are other routes to go down.
Here’s some of the help that is available, should you need it.
Travel insurance
Some forms of travel insurance do offer protection against the high cost of bringing you or a family member home after illness, injury, or death suffered while abroad.
If you have a serious health condition, your travel insurance is likely to be more expensive. Repatriation insurance is included as standard in most travel insurance policies, though.
The levels of cover may vary between providers, but repatriation will typically include:
- The cost of getting you home
- Accommodation and travel costs for a friend or relative to stay with you during treatment and repatriation
- Organisation of getting you home
- 24/7 emergency assistance helpline
- Repatriation of the body if a traveller on the policy dies while abroad
Travel insurance policies can vary greatly, so it’s always worth checking policy documents carefully for cover limits and other key factors. You should contact your insurer at the earliest opportunity, as almost all will require some notification before any arrangements can be made, regardless of the cover limit.
Government support
If you don’t have travel insurance, or if this isn’t enough to cover your costs, there is also support available from the UK Government.
This can include bereavement support and funeral expenses payment.
Bereavement Support can be available if your partner has died.
Bereavement Support Payment is not means-tested. This means what you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get.
However, there are certain criteria you must adhere to.
Funeral Expenses Payment is available if all of the following apply:
- you get certain benefits or tax credits
- you meet the rules on your relationship with the deceased
- you’re arranging a funeral in the UK, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland
Be aware that while this can help cover burial or cremation costs in the UK, it does not typically cover the overseas repatriation costs themselves, such as flights, embalming and local funeral director fees.
Public health funerals
There is also the option of public health funerals.
Public health funerals are provided by local authorities for people who have passed away and have no next of kin, or whose next of kin, relatives or friends are unable or unwilling to make the necessary arrangements for a funeral.
Public health funerals do not cover repatriation costs from abroad; they apply only when a person has died in the UK with no one able to make funeral arrangements.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is also an excellent way to help get much-needed funds in times of emergency.
It can help to get together cash for unexpected expenses and can go towards repatriating a body from abroad.
GoFundMe is a platform that can be used by families to crowdfund for repatriation and other unexpected costs, and there is no platform fee to start your fundraiser. All you need to do is think of a title, upload your fundraiser story and set the page live to begin sharing it with friends, family and the wider community.
After explaining what’s happened and why funds are needed, you can begin sharing the fundraiser among friends and family to widen the scope of it.
How people are turning to crowdfunding to help with the cost of repatriation
Repatriation can cost thousands of pounds, and the bills often arrive while you’re grieving and handling a long list of practical tasks. That’s why many families choose to crowdfund for repatriation. They ask friends, family and their wider community to help share the cost.
A repatriation fundraiser can help cover costs such as:
- Transporting your loved one’s body or ashes home
- Embalming, a suitable coffin and other preparation needed for international transport
- Translating and certifying documents, such as death certificates
- Flights and accommodation for family members travelling to bring them home
- Funeral or memorial costs once they’ve arrived
If you’re struggling with where to get started, these steps can help:
- Get a quote from a funeral director or repatriation specialist so you know how much to raise.
- Explain in your own words what happened and who you’re raising money for.
- Break down what the money will pay for, so supporters can see where their donations are going.
- Share your fundraiser with family, friends, colleagues and community or faith groups, and post updates as plans progress.
Every donation helps. For people who can’t be there in person, giving is also a practical way to show their support.
Fundraising can help cover unexpected costs
If you’re ever faced with unexpected costs or even the need to repatriate, you can crowdfund.
And you can always fundraise for the charities that offer invaluable support to others. For more information, see our guides on how to get help with funeral costs and how to ask for donations for funeral expenses.
FAQs
The cost of repatriation of a dead body to the UK varies depending on the country where the death occurred. For destinations in Western Europe, such as Spain, France or Greece, total costs typically range from £3,000 to £6,000, excluding UK funeral costs. For long-haul destinations such as the USA, Australia or South-East Asia, costs typically range from £6,000 to £12,000 or more. Repatriation of ashes is considerably cheaper, usually between £1,000 and £3,000. Costs vary case by case; always obtain a quote from a specialist international repatriation funeral director.
In most cases, yes. Repatriation insurance is included as standard in most comprehensive UK travel insurance policies; both for the return of the insured person if they become seriously ill or injured and for repatriation of the body if they die abroad. Cover levels vary between providers. It is important to notify your insurer as early as possible, as most require prior approval before repatriation arrangements are made. If the policy was not in force at the time of death, travel insurance will not apply and families will need to explore other options, such as government support or crowdfunding.
If a family cannot cover the cost of repatriation, there are several options to explore. Check whether the deceased had travel insurance; if so, contact the insurer first, as they will often manage the process directly. If not, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) can provide guidance and signposting, though they do not fund repatriation directly. Some families turn to crowdfunding to raise the funds needed; a GoFundMe fundraiser allows friends, family and the community to contribute.In cases where no arrangements can be made and no one is willing to take responsibility for the funeral in the UK, the local council may arrange a public health funeral, but this does not apply to repatriation from abroad.