Funeral repatriation guidance
Repatriation from Denmark
Bringing your loved one home from Denmark, wherever home is. Where the rules at the receiving end matter, this guide uses the UK as the example and says so.
Bringing someone home to a particular country? Find the guide for your route or send us the details. We arrange repatriation to any country.
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How long does repatriation from Denmark take?
Most repatriations from mainland Denmark complete in 7 to 12 days. The Strasbourg Convention reduces documentation requirements between Denmark and the UK. Direct flights operate from Copenhagen Kastrup. Deaths in Greenland or the Faroe Islands are subject to different administrative jurisdictions and can take considerably longer.
- Fastest cases (natural death, Copenhagen, documentation clear): 5 days.
- Average cases (standard Rigspolitiet involvement): 7 to 12 days.
- Complex cases (unnatural death, Greenland, Faroe Islands): 18 to 28 days.
- Direct UK flights from Copenhagen Kastrup with SAS and British Airways.
- Strasbourg Convention applies, Udrejsetilladelse accepted by UK without additional consular legalisation.
Greenland deaths are handled under Greenlandic Home Rule administration. Air connections are limited and the process is significantly slower than mainland Denmark. Faroe Islands deaths involve Faroese Home Rule police before routing to mainland Denmark.
Process verified September 2026, how we verify
Step by step
The repatriation process from Denmark
Here is what happens after a death in Denmark, and what you or your appointed coordinator needs to do at each stage.
What you will need
Documents required for repatriation from Denmark
The following documents must be obtained before your loved one can leave Denmark. Your local funeral director will help gather most of these. The country you are bringing them home to may ask for certified translations or extra permits; we check those for your case.
We handle the paperwork
Our team coordinates with local funeral directors in Denmark to ensure all documentation is obtained correctly and on time.
What to expect
How long does repatriation from Denmark take?
Timelines vary depending on the circumstances of the death and the speed of local authorities. Here is a realistic guide.
Best case
5 days
Natural death, straightforward documentation, no post-mortem required.
Typical case
7-12 days
Most repatriations from Denmark fall within this range.
Complex case
18-28 days
Post-mortem, inquest, criminal investigation, or remote location involved.
Factors that can extend the timeline
- National Police (Rigspolitiet) investigates unnatural deaths; Forensic Pathology Department at the University of Copenhagen handles post-mortems
- Deaths in Greenland or the Faroe Islands are subject to different administrative jurisdictions and require additional coordination
- Greenland deaths face logistical constraints: limited air connections and the Greenland Police Service operates under Greenlandic Home Rule administration
- All official documents are in Danish; certified English translations required for UK entry
Cost
What does repatriation from Denmark cost?
Every case is different, so we do not quote a figure until we know the details. Repatriation firms publish typical ranges, which we set out with their sources and dates on our cost page. Send us the details for a figure for your case, with no obligation.
What the cost depends on
- Whether a post-mortem or inquest is required
- Distance and location, including island or remote transfers
- Documentation and certification needed for Denmark
- Whether travel insurance covers repatriation
- Air freight availability and timing
Travel insurance with repatriation cover often meets the full cost. Without insurance, the family is responsible for costs directly; the embassy and consulate cannot pay repatriation expenses. How we verify our information.
Travel insurance
Check whether your policy, or the deceased's policy, includes repatriation cover. If it does, the insurer typically appoints and funds the funeral director directly.
Official support
British Embassy and consulates in Denmark
For British nationals, the British Embassy can provide assistance and information, but cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact them as early as possible. If your loved one was a citizen of another country, contact that country's embassy or consulate instead.
Just found out? Start here
If a death in Denmark has just occurred and you are not sure what to do first, our step-by-step guide explains everything from the first call through to bringing your loved one home.
What to do if someone dies in DenmarkCity guides
Repatriation from specific cities in Denmark
For more specific guidance based on where the death occurred, see our city-level guides.
Route guides
Repatriation routes from Denmark
Each route guide covers the documentation, timeline and process for one corridor from Denmark, written for the family at the receiving end.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has passed away in Denmark, please do not face this alone. Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing them home, wherever home is.
Thank you. We have received your enquiry and will respond within one hour.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Process verified September 2026. How we verify information.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Full guide: what to do if someone dies in Denmark · Frequently asked questions