When we meet with families to arrange the repatriation of a loved one home from the UK, we’re often asked if it is possible to travel on the same flight as the coffin.

The short answer is yes.

We know how much it matters to families to travel with their loved one on their final journey. Our specialist repatriation team will organise the travel arrangements to ensure that airlines can accommodate both passengers and cargo. We match flights including stopovers. If accommodation is also required for any family, this will also be arranged.

There are circumstances where we would recommend families travel independently:

• If there is an anticipated delay, our recommendation is families spend time at home or with their loved ones for support rather than being on their own
• In their absence, we’re going to be caring for their loved one with compassion and in the best of facilities for as long as required
• Not all passenger airlines or their published routes accommodate cargo which makes accompanied bookings tricky to organised
• The aircraft used on particular routes may not be cargo compatible and this can be changed by the airline at the last minute which impacts on the overall travel plan
• Cargo routes are often not direct requiring layovers which would need to be matched with passenger bookings, and this can lead to further delays overall
• We make a conscious choice to work with airlines whose standards we can rely on to provide first class care of your loved one, and in some cases, this is a cargo only flight

Concierge Support in the UK

For bereaved families who need to stay in the UK while arrangements are made, Purves Repatriation also offers an additional level of concierge service. This includes:

• Collection, storage and onward despatch of luggage and personal possessions
• Preparing tech for travel to ensure batteries and other items are travel-compliant
• Support for families to find temporary accommodation in the UK
• While they are in the UK, to provide other services as required
• Translation services

Our goal is to care for a loved one and the family left behind. Whether that’s in first-class facilities in our Edinburgh head office or by keeping families informed with frequent updates on the arrangements. As fifth-generation funeral directors, you can trust Purves Repatriation to provide specialist expertise in repatriation to, and from, the UK.