How do you bring a loved one home from Iceland?

Timeline

How long does repatriation from Iceland take?

In most cases, repatriation from Iceland takes 7-10 days. The fastest straightforward cases complete in 5 days. Complex cases involving a post-mortem, criminal investigation, or a remote location can extend to 14-21 days or beyond.

What makes a case complex?

• Lögreglustjórinn (National Commissioner of Police) investigation for unnatural deaths
• Medical Director of Health issues export permit; process is efficient
• Remote locations (glaciers, lava fields, geothermal areas) require mountain rescue or Coast Guard recovery before process begins
• Winter weather can delay body recovery from outdoor fatality sites

Documentation

What documents are required to bring a body home from Iceland?

All of these documents must be in place before air transport can proceed. Your appointed repatriation coordinator will obtain most of them.

British Embassy

What does the British Embassy in Iceland do when someone dies?

For British nationals, the British Embassy provides consular assistance, which includes giving you a list of local funeral directors, helping you notify relatives, and advising on local procedures. What the Embassy cannot do is pay for repatriation, organise the funeral director, or make arrangements on your behalf. If your loved one was a citizen of another country, contact that country's embassy or consulate instead.

Getting started

How do you start the repatriation process from Iceland?

Call a specialist repatriation company. Do not wait until all other steps are complete. A specialist can begin the process immediately, even before the local death certificate has been issued.

You will need to provide: the name of the deceased, the location of the body, your contact details, and the name and contact of the local hospital or authority holding the body.