Repatriation Of Ashes
A complete Ashes Transportation service to or from anywhere in the world. To get started:
Transportation of Human Ashes and Cremated Remains Worldwide
Homeland International supports with the repatriation of ashes and cremated remains all over the globe. Ashes repatriation is the international transport of cremated remains, helping families bring their loved ones home or fulfil final wishes to rest in a meaningful location abroad. There are different ways to do this, in the below table we explain the process for each method to help you make the best decision for your circumstances.
Hand Luggage
Ashes can be taken on a plane in your hand luggage or carry-on, here is how this works:
- We will collect the ashes
- We will prepare the ashes to the necessary requirements to be transported internationally
- We will arrange any documents or permits with the embassy if needed
- We will supply a declaration letter as per airline requirements
- We will then return the ashes and the documents to you ready for you to fly home.
If you have any further questions about this, please feel free to contact us to discuss further
To the Nearest Airport
This option is the most common, we will arrange for the ashes to be collected and transported back to the closest airport. From here, either the family or an appointed funeral director for the family will clear customs and collect the ashes. Here is how this works:
- We will collect the ashes
- We will prepare the ashes to the necessary requirements to be transported internationally
- We will arrange any documents or permits with the embassy if needed
- We will supply a declaration letter as per airline requirements
- We will book a flight for the ashes
- We will safely transport to the departure airport
- We will email scans of all the documents to the person receiving from the airport
- On arrival, the person collecting will arrange customs clearance and the collection of the ashes (this will not be managed by Homeland International, see ‘Door to Door’ for this service)
Door to Door
This is where we arrange the ashes to be transported from one location to another, handled all by Homeland International (similar to a courier). Here is how it works:
- We will collect the ashes
- We will prepare the ashes to the necessary requirements to be transported internationally
- We will arrange any documents or permits with the embassy if needed
- We will supply a declaration letter as per airline requirements
- We will book a flight for the ashes
- We will safely transport to the departure airport
- We will clear customs at the arrival airport and collect the ashes
- We will safely transport the ashes to the final address given (this is by a funeral director, never a courier)
Repatriation of ashes by courier companies or royal mail is no longer possible, however we are able to ship cremated ashes ‘door to door’ between any locations worldwide. There are companies around the world who use this option, however they send the ashes with the likes of Fedex or DHL as “Undisclosed Contents” or similar however this is extremely risky and they will not accept liability for lost items, for this reason we have never operated through couriers and instead arrange this transport ourselves. With a network of over 300 providers worldwide, Homeland International makes the repatriation of cremated ashes possible.
More information of what is possible and what needs to be done to transport ashes overseas can be found below. Contact us today with your requirements and we would be happy to provide a quotation.
Shipping human ashes from the UK
Homeland International can provide assistance with ashes repatriation from anywhere in the UK.
Our service involves:
- Arranging the collection of the paperwork and ashes from you
- Preparing the ashes for international travel
- Requesting relevant paperwork from you (normally a death certificate and cremation certificate)
- Completing required paperwork and visits to the embassy
- Booking flights and transportation to departure airport
On arrival at the destination airport there are two choices:
- We can arrange the collection of the ashes from the airport and transportation to the final address
- You, or an appointed funeral director, can collect the ashes from the destination airport. We will provide all the necessary paperwork to assist you.
Costs
Up to the destination airport only
£1400.00
Up to the final address in the destination country
£1850.00
The above costs are estimates only, based on previous cases. The price may vary once you contact us with your specific requirements. If you would like to know more please contact us and we would be happy to help.
Transporting human ashes in your hand luggage
We can support you with the necessary preparation and paperwork for taking ashes abroad via your hand luggage.
Most airlines will permit the carriage of ashes in hand luggage but it is important you have everything arranged before.
The ashes will need to be prepared for transportation and you will need to ensure you have all of the correct paperwork in place.
You will need the following paperwork:
- Death certificate
- Cremation certificate
- Funeral Directors sealing certificate (also known as Funeral Directors declaration)
The ashes container will need to be secure for travel and remain scannable by X-ray machines.
Our Services:
- Securing ashes in zinc cad seal system
- Packing ashes in suitable wrap
- Confirming sealing certificate
- Arrangement of return to you pre-travel
- Obtaining necessary paperwork from destination country
Costs
Securing ashes
From £75.00
Transport and embassy fees
Varies
Please note, we would always advise that you contact your airline in advance before travelling with cremated remains. Whilst most airlines such as British Airways and EasyJet state they will accept cremated remains there is always the possibility that someone at the airport, such as airport security, will not be so sure. It is always useful to have a printed email or letter from the airline so you can quickly show it as evidence just in case.
Shipping ashes back to the UK
Homeland International provides ashes repatriation services all over the world.
Thanks to our provider network, consisting of over 250 companies worldwide, we are able to support transporting cremated remains back to the UK. We will manage the collection overseas, the preparation of the urn for transport, the paperwork requirements, the airport, the shipping of the ashes to the UK and the collection from the airport and delivery to your address.
Our Services
- Managing collection overseas
- Preparation of the urn for transport
- Completing the required paperwork
- Transport to the airport
- Shipping of the ashes to the UK
- Collection from the UK airport
- Delivery to your address
Costs
Average costs for returning ashes to the UK
£1850.00*
*Please contact us with your specific requirements for a more accurate quote; final cost may differ depending on what country you are shipping from
Request Quotation
Please provide us with some information about where the ashes are now and where they need to be transported to so we can provide an accurate quotation. Contact us using one of the methods below, or via live chat.
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