International repatriation from Scotland to the rest of the world

Bring them safely home

When there’s a death in Scotland

When a loved one comes into our care in Scotland, we provide a full service to repatriate them to other areas of the UK, or anywhere else across the world.

We sensitively look after all administration and logistics, while providing clear information so families can make the most appropriate choices for their needs.

One of the first decisions will be whether to hold a service or cremation in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK, before repatriating ashes, or whether to arrange travel for the deceased for a funeral abroad.

We also support families who wish to repatriate ashes many years after a cremation.

Families are given the time, space and guidance they need to consider all the options.

How we repatriate a loved one

Care of the deceased and their family

Bereavement aftercare is an important part of the support we offer to families. For many, it’s important to know where their loved one is at all times, and that they are respectfully cared for. We promptly communicate updates around all travel arrangements, letting families know as soon as their loved one comes into or leaves our care. After discussion with families, we provide services to meet airline requirements, including embalming by our accredited team, as well as a coffin or casket with protective CadSeal, or an urn, as appropriate.

Travel for family and the deceased

Our service covers all travel planning and logistics, by air, sea or land. For accompanying family members, we offer our travel concierge service, including any stop-overs. For the deceased, we arrange:

  • transfer to UK airport, ferry terminal or other address
  • concierge service for personal belongings covering collection, storage and shipping
  • handover to non-UK funeral director or nominated third party
Administrative arrangements

With decades of experience, we pay considerable attention to detail around all legal and administrative paperwork, taking on all liaison with third parties such as:

  • non-UK funeral teams
  • embassies and consulates
  • insurers
  • prepaid funeral plan providers
Legal documentation

We also manage all necessary legal documentation for different countries around the world including:

  • death certification
  • free from infection certification
  • permits
  • translations

It’s never too early to ask for help

Contact us today

How we work with corporate partners

We partner with organisations involved in managing international and UK repatriations, including:

  • International repatriation organisations
  • Insurers
  • Embassies and consulates
  • Funeral directors

We often act as the main point of contact with families to smooth the process as far as possible.

How we work together
Photo of a funeral director walking in front of a Mercedes hearse while attending a funeral after a death in Scotland has occurred

Arranging a UK funeral

If you wish, our funeral directors can organise a funeral service in the UK. This includes notices, obituaries and social media, transport, service choices for music, floral and digital tributes, printed orders of service, live streaming, and arrangements for burial or cremation.

Photo of a woman laying flowers at a graveside

Exhumations from the UK

We have experience of arranging for exhumed remains to return them home from a UK cemetery. Whilst the process is broadly similar to our core repatriation service, we acknowledge the particular sensitivities and unique differences to each of these repatriations.

Contact us to find out how we can help.

You’re in safe hands

Funeral Director expertise
Specialist teams
Single point of contact
Expert communication
First class facilities
Personal touches
Photo of Pauline and Colin from Purves Repatriation

Contact our specialist team for repatriation advice or to request an estimate

If you need help with repatriating a loved one, tell us what’s happened so we can quickly agree how to help you with estimates and outline timescales.

Enquire

Advice for families

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When someone dies abroad it can make things even more complex. Being responsible for the care of a loved one who’s died abroad can be
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