Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Sweden
This guide explains what happens after a death in Sweden, who to contact, and how to arrange for your loved one to be brought home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country. Facts for British nationals come from FCDO and government sources. Every situation is different, and if you would like us to take over the arrangements, send us the details.
Typical timeline
7-12 days
FCDO 24hr helpline
+44 (0)20 7008 5000
When a British National Dies in Sweden
Sweden is among the more straightforward European repatriations for UK families. Sweden is a party to the Strasbourg Convention on the Transfer of Corpses; the UK is not. Direct UK flights operate from Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. The Swedish state forensic medicine authority, Rättsmedicinalverket, has offices across the country.
Contact the British Embassy Stockholm immediately. They operate an emergency line 24 hours a day.
Step 1: Report the Death and Police Involvement
All deaths must be reported to the Swedish Police Authority (Polisen). For natural deaths confirmed by a physician, police involvement is limited to registration. For unnatural, sudden, or uncertain-cause deaths, Polisen investigates and issues a clearance once the investigation is confirmed complete.
Sweden has no separate criminal investigation agency; the police authority handles everything from initial scene management to case closure. This simplifies the process compared to countries with parallel investigation structures.
Step 2: Rättsmedicinalverket Post-Mortem
For unnatural or legally uncertain deaths, Rättsmedicinalverket (RMV: the National Board of Forensic Medicine) conducts the post-mortem. RMV offices are in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Linköping, Umeå, and Lund. Regional cases go to the nearest office.
For deaths in Swedish Lapland (Kiruna, Abisko, Jokkmokk), the nearest RMV office is in Umeå. The transfer from Lapland to Umeå is by road and can take several hours; in winter, this occasionally extends to a full day.
The post-mortem report is issued in Swedish. Certified English translation is required for UK entry formalities.
Step 3: Dödsbevis and the Tax Agency
An unusual feature of Swedish death administration is the Dödsbevis: a proof of death issued by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), which registers the death in the population register. This document is separate from the death certificate (Dödsintyg) issued by the attending physician. Both are needed.
Step 4: International Transport Permit
The Swedish Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) issues the Transporttillstånd: the international transport permit authorising the body to leave Sweden. Sweden is a party to the Strasbourg Convention, though the UK is not. The Swedish transport permit travels with the body as part of the export documentation.
Do not book cargo flights before the Transporttillstånd is issued.
Step 5: Embalming and Preparation
Embalming is required before international air transport. Licensed Swedish funeral directors in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and other major cities have established repatriation experience.
Step 6: Flights Back to the UK
Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) has direct connections to London Heathrow and Gatwick with SAS and British Airways. Gothenburg Landvetter (GOT) serves western Sweden. Malmö Airport (MMX) serves southern Sweden and Malmö / Copenhagen area deaths.
Step 7: UK Arrival Formalities
On arrival in the UK, the coroner reviews the case and a UK death certificate is issued by the local registrar. The family proceeds with UK funeral arrangements.
Winter Sports Context
Sweden draws British tourists for skiing primarily at Åre (the main resort) and Riksgränsen in Lapland. Ski accidents are the leading cause of British tourist deaths in Sweden. Deaths at Åre route through the RMV office in Umeå or Stockholm depending on case complexity.
Getting Help
Repatriate Service works with licensed Swedish partners and manages the full documentation chain: police liaison, Rättsmedicinalverket coordination, Socialstyrelsen transport permit, embalming, and cargo routing from Stockholm or regional airports. Contact us directly for immediate assistance.
First things first
What to do in the first 24 hours
The immediate period after a death abroad is disorienting. Here are the steps in the order they normally need to happen.
Contact local emergency services
Contact the embassy or consulate
Tell the embassy or consulate of your loved one's own country as soon as possible. It can register the death, give you a list of local funeral directors and explain what the local authorities will need.
British nationals, FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Appoint a local funeral director
A local funeral director in Sweden will take care of the body, arrange embalming, obtain the necessary documents, and coordinate with airlines. The embassy can recommend accredited directors. You can also contact a specialist UK repatriation company, who will coordinate with a local partner on your behalf.
Contact your travel insurer
If your loved one had travel insurance with repatriation cover, contact the insurer immediately. They will often have an emergency assistance line and may appoint their own funeral director. Many policies cover the full cost of repatriation, subject to the limit set out in the policy schedule.
Gather the required documents
Repatriation from Sweden requires specific paperwork before a body can be transported. Your local funeral director will handle most of this.
What to expect
How long does it take?
Factors that can extend the timeline
- Swedish Police Authority (Polisen) investigates all unnatural or suspicious deaths
- Rättsmedicinalverket (National Board of Forensic Medicine) conducts post-mortems for unnatural deaths; Stockholm has good capacity but regional offices may have backlogs
- Deaths in remote northern Sweden (Lapland, Abisko, Sarek) require body transfer to the nearest city with forensic capacity before documentation begins
- Swedish documentation is in Swedish; certified translations required for UK authorities
Cost guide
What affects the cost?
Nobody publishes a reliable figure for Sweden alone. Our cost page sets out the ranges repatriation firms publish, each named and dated. What you pay turns on the specifics of the case.
| Where the death happened | Distance to the departure airport, and any island or overland transfer, changes the freight arrangement |
| Whether a post-mortem is ordered | An investigation holds the release and adds mortuary time |
| Documentation required | Sweden paperwork, translation, and any legalisation step |
| Coffin and preparation | Airline and destination rules dictate what is needed |
| Flight availability | Direct services cost less to arrange than multi-leg cargo routing |
| Insurance | Whether a policy covers repatriation, and up to what limit |
Send us the details and we will give you a figure for your case, with no obligation.
Full repatriation guide for Sweden
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
View full guideSend us the details
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Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Official lists for Sweden
Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.
- Translators and interpreters, for certified translation of the death certificate and permits
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from Sweden · Frequently asked questions