Funeral repatriation guidance
Repatriation from Israel
Bringing your loved one home from Israel, 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 Israel take?
Most repatriations from Israel complete in 14 to 21 days. Israel is not a Strasbourg Convention signatory, so the European simplified pathway does not apply. The National Forensic Medicine Centre at Abu Kabir in Tel Aviv conducts post-mortems for unnatural or sudden deaths. Ben Gurion Airport operates direct UK flights.
- Fastest cases (natural death in hospital, documentation clear, no forensic referral): 7 days.
- Average cases (Abu Kabir forensic post-mortem, police clearance, Ministry of Health permit): 14 to 21 days.
- Complex cases (criminal investigation, delayed body release): 28 to 40 days.
- Direct UK flights from Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) with El Al, British Airways, and easyJet.
- Cremation technically available at Or HaGanuz private crematorium near Haifa, but most families choose full body repatriation.
The British Embassy is located in Tel Aviv. The UK also operates a Consulate-General in Jerusalem, but this covers Palestinian Authority areas only. For all Israeli deaths, contact the British Embassy Tel Aviv.
Process verified September 2026, how we verify
Step by step
The repatriation process from Israel
Here is what happens after a death in Israel, and what you or your appointed coordinator needs to do at each stage.
What you will need
Documents required for repatriation from Israel
The following documents must be obtained before your loved one can leave Israel. 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 Israel to ensure all documentation is obtained correctly and on time.
What to expect
How long does repatriation from Israel take?
Timelines vary depending on the circumstances of the death and the speed of local authorities. Here is a realistic guide.
Best case
7 days
Natural death, straightforward documentation, no post-mortem required.
Typical case
14-21 days
Most repatriations from Israel fall within this range.
Complex case
28-40 days
Post-mortem, inquest, criminal investigation, or remote location involved.
Factors that can extend the timeline
- National Forensic Medicine Centre (Abu Kabir, Tel Aviv) conducts post-mortems for unnatural or sudden deaths; release of the body after post-mortem can take several days
- Israeli police must close their investigation before the Ministry of Health export permit is processed
- Hebrew-language documentation requires certified English translation for UK entry formalities
- Religious authority involvement: the Israeli rabbinate may be consulted on religious law aspects of burial; non-Jewish deaths do not require rabbinical input but this context can affect funeral director availability
- Political situation can occasionally affect diplomatic processing timelines at the British Embassy
Cost
What does repatriation from Israel 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 Israel
- 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 Israel
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 Israel 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 IsraelRoute guides
Repatriation routes from Israel
Each route guide covers the documentation, timeline and process for one corridor from Israel, 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 Israel, 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 Israel · Frequently asked questions