What is a burial transit permit?

A burial transit permit is the official export authorisation for human remains. Without it, a body cannot legally leave the country where the person died. Airlines will not carry remains without it. UK customs will not accept them without it.

What it actually is

Different countries use different names for this document:

• Burial transit permit (most common UK usage)
• Repatriation certificate (common in some countries)
• Export permit for human remains
• Movement permit

Whatever it is called, the function is the same: it certifies that the body has been properly identified, that the cause of death is known (or that a coroner has released the body), that the body has been embalmed or prepared to export standards, and that the relevant health authority authorises the export.

Who issues it

In most countries, the burial transit permit is issued by a government health authority — a local health department, a municipal authority, or a ministry of health. The issuing body depends on the country.

In some countries, the British Embassy or Consulate must countersign the document before it is valid for export. In others, the permit is entirely a local authority matter.

What is required to obtain it

The documents required to apply for a burial transit permit typically include:

• The local death certificate
• A medical certificate of cause of death
• The embalming certificate
• The passport of the deceased
• An application form (country-specific)
• Payment of a fee

In some countries, additional requirements apply: a notarised translation of certain documents, a police report (for deaths under investigation), or a coroner’s release if a post-mortem was conducted.

How long it takes

This varies significantly by country. In Spain or Portugal, with organised documentation, the permit can be issued within 2-3 working days. In Thailand, India, or the Philippines, allow 5-10 working days as a baseline. In countries with less developed infrastructure, longer.

The burial transit permit is often the bottleneck in the repatriation process. Everything else can be done in parallel, but you cannot book cargo until you have the permit, because the permit number is typically required on the cargo documentation.

What happens in the UK on arrival

The UK does not issue import permits for human remains. However, the UK funeral director receiving the body needs to see the burial transit permit, the death certificate, and the embalming certificate before accepting the remains. The UK coroner in the relevant district must also be notified.

The burial transit permit is held with the repatriation case throughout transit and is presented by the cargo agent on arrival.

If the permit is delayed

Delays in obtaining the burial transit permit are common. A reputable local funeral director in the country of death will chase the permit and manage the relationship with the issuing authority. This is one of the key reasons to have a professional on the ground rather than trying to manage the process remotely.