Frequently asked questions

If the deceased had travel insurance or was on a package holiday, call the insurer’s or tour operator’s 24-hour emergency line first, because repatriation is often covered. Your country’s embassy or consulate can help with local formalities. Then get in touch with us. We take over the coordination, so you don’t have to manage it all yourself.

Bringing a body home typically takes one to two weeks from the death to arrival in the home country. Ashes typically take one to three weeks, because the cremation has to be scheduled locally first. What varies most is how quickly the authorities in the country of death issue the documents.

The cost depends on the route, the means of transport and the services needed in the country of death, so there is no single figure that fits every case. Bringing ashes home usually costs a good deal less than transporting a coffin. Before you commit to anything, you always get a written, itemised quote from us. If travel insurance applies, it often covers most or all of the cost.

Very often, yes. Repatriation of the deceased is a standard part of most travel insurance policies. Contact the insurer’s emergency service as early as you can. We can deal with the insurer or assistance company directly, so the claim moves forward while the practical arrangements are being made.

For coffin transport, the paperwork typically includes the death certificate, a medical certificate of the cause of death, a laissez-passer (mortuary passport) issued under the 1973 Strasbourg Agreement, a certificate of the sealing of the coffin, and an embalming certificate if the destination country requires one. For ashes, it is the death certificate, the cremation certificate and any transport permit. The exact list depends on which two countries are involved, and we obtain every document on your behalf.

Not always. Many countries do require embalming or similar preparation before a coffin is transported internationally, and it is common practice for the journey anyway. We check what your route requires and arrange it locally if it is needed.

Often, yes. The coffin travels in the cargo hold of a scheduled passenger flight, and family members can book seats on the same plane. If the family wants this and the route allows it, we try to arrange it.

Generally yes, as long as you carry the death and cremation certificates with it. The urn has to go through x-ray screening, so it should be made of wood, cardboard, plastic or another material x-rays can pass through, not metal. Each airline’s rules differ a little, so we check yours in advance.

We arrange repatriations within Europe, from any European country to the home country. If the death happened outside Europe, please contact us anyway. We’ll tell you honestly whether we can help, or refer you to a partner who can.

Yes. After a coffin repatriation you can hold a traditional funeral, and if the family would like an ordinary coffin, the zinc lining can be removed beforehand. After an ashes repatriation, the family can hold an urn burial or a memorial service. We stay in touch with the funeral home receiving the deceased, so the arrangements carry on without a gap.