Repatriate Service
Bringing ashes home to the UK
Country-specific guidance on the documents, airline rules, and practical steps for transporting ashes from abroad to the United Kingdom.
Ashes transport guides
Select the country the ashes are in
Each guide covers the documents required to export ashes, airline hand-luggage rules, costs, and what to do once you are back in the UK.
UK import rules
The UK does not restrict the import of human ashes. There is no customs declaration required. The documentation requirements are on the departure side, and vary by country.
Australia
Bringing ashes from Australia to the UK: cremation certificates, airline rules for the long-haul flight, and AQIS documentation. Call us 24/7.
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Brazil
Bringing ashes from Brazil to the UK: Brazilian documentation requirements, cremation certificates, and airline hand luggage rules. Expert guidance available.
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Cambodia
Transporting ashes from Cambodia to the UK: documentation requirements, local cremation processes, and airline guidance for the journey home. We help 24/7.
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Canada
Transporting ashes from Canada to the UK: cremation permits, provincial variations, and airline rules. Expert guidance from Repatriate Service, available 24/7.
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Cyprus
Bringing ashes from Cyprus to the UK: Cypriot export requirements, cremation certificates, and practical guidance for the journey home. Call us 24/7.
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Dominican Republic
Bringing ashes from the Dominican Republic to the UK: export documentation, cremation certificates, and airline guidance. Repatriate Service helps 24/7.
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Egypt
Transporting ashes from Egypt to the UK: Egyptian export requirements, cremation certificates, and airline guidance for British families. We are here 24/7.
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France
How to transport ashes from France to the UK: cremation certificates, airline hand luggage rules, French export requirements, and timing. Call us 24/7.
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Germany
Transporting ashes from Germany to the UK: German cremation documentation, Aschenbescheinigung requirements, and airline guidance. Expert help available 24/7.
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Greece
Transporting ashes from Greece to the UK: Greek export requirements, airline guidance, and documentation checklist. Expert guidance from Repatriate Service.
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India
Bringing ashes from India to the UK: Indian cremation documentation, airline restrictions, hand luggage guidance, and NOC requirements. Call us 24/7.
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Indonesia
Bringing ashes from Indonesia to the UK: Indonesian export documentation, cremation certificates, and airline guidance for the journey home. Help 24/7.
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Italy
Transporting ashes from Italy to the UK: Italian cremation certificates, regional documentation variations, and airline rules. Expert guidance from Repatriate Service.
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Kenya
Bringing ashes from Kenya to the UK: Kenyan export documentation, cremation certificates, and airline guidance for British families. Repatriate Service helps 24/7.
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Mexico
Transporting ashes from Mexico to the UK: Mexican export requirements, cremation certificates, and airline hand luggage rules. Expert guidance available 24/7.
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Morocco
Bringing ashes from Morocco to the UK: documentation for non-Muslim cremation cases, export requirements, and airline guidance. Expert help available 24/7.
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Philippines
Bringing ashes from the Philippines to the UK: documentation requirements, export permits, and airline guidance. Expert guidance from Repatriate Service, available 24/7.
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Portugal
How to bring ashes from Portugal to the UK: Portuguese cremation documentation, export permits, and airline requirements. Expert guidance from Repatriate Service.
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South Africa
Transporting ashes from South Africa to the UK: South African cremation certificates, export permits, and airline rules. Expert guidance available 24/7.
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Spain
How to bring ashes home from Spain to the UK: required documents, airline hand luggage rules, and export permits. Repatriate Service guides you 24/7.
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Sri Lanka
Transporting ashes from Sri Lanka to the UK: cremation certificates, export requirements, and airline guidance. Repatriate Service provides expert help 24/7.
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Thailand
What you need to carry ashes from Thailand to the UK: Thai cremation certificates, airline hand luggage rules, and practical steps. Expert guidance available 24/7.
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Turkey
Bringing ashes from Turkey to the UK: Turkish export documentation, cremation certificates, airline hand luggage rules, and practical guidance. Call us 24/7.
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United Arab Emirates
Transporting ashes from the UAE to the UK: documentation for non-Muslim cremation, export permits, and airline rules from Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Expert help 24/7.
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United States
Bringing ashes from the USA to the UK: state-issued cremation permits, TSA and airline rules, and UK customs guidance. Repatriate Service helps 24/7.
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Vietnam
Bringing ashes from Vietnam to the UK: Vietnamese export requirements, cremation certificates, and airline guidance for the journey home. We help 24/7.
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General guidance
What applies to all countries
Cremation certificate
Always required. Issued by the crematorium where the cremation took place. Keep it with the ashes at all times during travel. Most airlines will ask to see it at check-in.
Airline confirmation
Contact your airline at least 48 hours before travel. Rules vary. Metal urns cannot be X-rayed and may be refused as hand luggage. Use a wooden or biodegradable travel urn for the journey.
On arrival in the UK
No import declaration is required. Walk through with your ashes and cremation certificate. You will not be stopped at customs for ashes, but having the certificate avoids any confusion.