What happens if there is no travel insurance when someone dies abroad?

The absence of travel insurance is one of the most difficult situations families face when someone dies abroad. The costs are real and immediate, and the decisions that follow are painful.

What the costs look like

Repatriation from Europe costs roughly £3,000-6,000. From long-haul destinations, £5,000-15,000 is a realistic range. These costs include the local funeral director, embalming, the repatriation case, airline cargo fees, and the UK funeral director’s collection charge. They do not include the subsequent UK funeral.

These costs must be paid upfront or on credit. The country of death will not release the body without payment for local services. Airlines do not carry cargo on credit.

Step 1: Check whether insurance actually exists

Before assuming there is no coverage, check:

Credit card benefits. Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act covers purchases made on credit cards. Some credit cards also include travel insurance as a benefit. Look at the card the travel was booked on and check the card’s benefit schedule.

Packaged bank accounts. Many current accounts include travel insurance (Halifax Ultimate Reward, Nationwide FlexPlus, NatWest Reward Black, etc.). If the deceased had a packaged account, there may be cover.

Employer travel insurance. If the trip was for work purposes, the employer may have corporate travel insurance that covers employees.

Annual travel insurance. Some people take out annual policies and forget they have them. Check email inboxes and bank statements for insurance premium payments.

Group policies. If the trip was booked through a club, association, or tour operator, there may be group insurance.

See our guide on tracing travel insurance after a death abroad for a full checklist.

Step 2: Contact the FCDO

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office operates a 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

In cases of genuine financial hardship, the FCDO can provide emergency financial assistance in the form of a loan. This is a loan, not a grant. It must be repaid. The criteria are strict — it is not available simply because repatriation is expensive. It is for situations where the family genuinely cannot access funds through any other means.

The FCDO will also provide information about the options available, including local burial in the country of death.

Step 3: Consider the options honestly

Crowdfunding. Many families have raised repatriation costs through platforms like GoFundMe. This is accepted practice. Response is often fast when the situation is clearly explained. A target of £5,000-10,000 for a long-haul repatriation is achievable in some cases.

Charitable assistance. Some organisations assist with repatriation costs for specific communities. The British Red Cross, religious community charities, and some diaspora organisations have emergency assistance programmes. Research is needed for your specific situation.

Local burial. This is the alternative that most families are reluctant to consider, but it is a real option. The deceased is buried in the country of death. The family may or may not be able to attend the funeral, depending on finances and visa requirements. A grave abroad is more difficult to visit, but it is a legitimate choice — not a failure.

Cremation and ashes. If the deceased did not have religious or personal objections to cremation, cremation in the country of death and return of ashes is far cheaper than full body repatriation. Cremation and ashes return from most countries costs £1,000-3,000 rather than £5,000-15,000.

What happens to the body while decisions are made

The body is held by the local mortuary or funeral director in the country of death. Mortuaries charge daily storage fees. The fees accumulate while decisions are made and funding is arranged.

This is a genuine pressure, but make decisions based on what is right for the family rather than what is fastest. A few days of mortuary storage costs are modest compared to the financial decisions involved.

After the repatriation

If the family has borrowed money or used credit to cover costs, review whether any recourse exists afterwards. Some estate solicitors successfully recover repatriation costs from the estate. If the death was caused by a third party’s negligence, legal action may recover costs. Keep all receipts.