Funeral repatriation between Italy and the UK
We repatriate bodies and ashes from Italy to the United Kingdom and from the UK to Italy, working with British funeral directors, coroners and the Italian consulate in London.
From Italy to the UK
When a British national dies in Italy, the death is registered in Italy and the body can be repatriated once the Italian authorities have issued their authorisations.
In Italy
- registration of the death with the municipality, usually within 24 hours
- death certificate, which can be requested in the multilingual format
- preservation treatment required by Italian law
- authorisation to transport the body abroad
The Italian death certificate does not state the cause of death, which appears in separate medical documents.
On arrival in England and Wales
The death certificate, with a certified translation where needed, is taken to the register office in the area of the funeral, which issues a certificate of no liability to register. If the cause of death is unknown, violent or unnatural, a coroner is informed and may open an inquest.
From the UK to Italy
To take a body out of England and Wales, the coroner’s permission is always required, even after a natural death.
Coroner’s permission
The funeral director notifies the coroner of the intention to move the body out of England. The coroner then issues the out of England certificate, usually within one or two working days. The flight should only be booked after this permission. Ashes do not need it.
Italian consulate in London
The consulate checks the documents, obtains the authorisation of the Italian municipality of destination, seals the coffin and issues the consular certificate for transport to Italy.
Documents and local contacts
We work with funeral directors in the UK and deal directly with the Italian offices. We tell you which documents are needed in your case and prepare them with our British partners.
For a body travelling to Italy, Italian rules require a double coffin: solid wood with a sealed metal liner, and embalming before departure.
UK to Italy: usual documents
- death certificate or coroner’s certificate, with an apostille for Italian citizens
- embalming certificate
- certificate of absence of infectious diseases
- out of England certificate issued by the coroner
- identity document of the deceased and declaration of the funeral director
Airports, handover and timing
Airports
We choose the route between the UK and the Italian airport closest to the destination, with direct flights whenever possible.
Handover
On arrival the coffin is collected by the receiving funeral director, in Italy or in the UK, and taken to the place of burial or cremation.
Timing
Formalities in Italy can take up to two weeks. In the UK, an inquest or a coroner’s investigation can extend the times.
Costs and insurance
Costs
The price depends on the route, the transport method and the documents required on both sides. We send you a personalised quote.
Insurance
Travel insurance often covers the repatriation costs if the traveller dies abroad. The EHIC and GHIC cards do not cover repatriation.
Request a quote
Tell us where the death occurred and where the body or the urn needs to go. We will call you back as soon as possible to explain timing, documents and costs.
If it is urgent, call us now, at any time:
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions families ask us most often. For your specific situation, call us: we answer at any time.
Related guides
How do I repatriate a body from Italy to the UK?
The death is registered in Italy, the Italian authorities authorise the transport and the body is embalmed and placed in a sealed coffin. In the UK, the documents are taken to the register office and, in some cases, a coroner is involved. We coordinate both sides.
Can ashes be taken from the UK to Italy?
Yes. The coroner’s permission is not needed for ashes. The Italian consulate in London asks for the death certificate, the cremation certificate, an identity document and a declaration of the funeral director, and the urn must be sealed.
Is a coroner always involved?
To move a body out of England and Wales, yes: the coroner’s permission is always required. For a body arriving in the UK, a coroner is involved if the cause of death is unknown, violent or unnatural.
If an inquest may be needed, can the body be cremated in Italy?
If the family wants an inquest in England or Wales, the body should not be cremated abroad. Tell us before any decision is taken.
Who receives the coffin in the UK?
A British funeral director, chosen by the family or from our network. We agree with them the arrival and the handover.