Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Israel to the United Kingdom
For families bringing someone home to the United Kingdom. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Key facts
Repatriation from Israel to the UK: what to expect
Repatriation from Israel has several distinctive features. The death certificate (teudat petira) is in Hebrew and requires certified English translation. Cremation is prohibited by Jewish law and unavailable in Israel. Embalming must be specifically requested as it is not standard Jewish burial practice.
- Key document: Teudat Petira (Israeli death certificate) with certified English translation
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Embalming must be explicitly requested.
- British Embassy in Tel Aviv registers the death and advises. They cannot fund repatriation.
- No cremation available in Israel. All repatriations are full body.
The process
What happens after a death in Israel
Call 100 for police or 101 for ambulance (Magen David Adom). Death registered with the Ministry of Interior (Misrad Hapnim). The teudat petira is issued in Hebrew only. Certified English translation is mandatory. Embalming must be specifically arranged as Jewish law and tradition do not require it.
Step by step
Timeline: Israel to the United Kingdom
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000. Request embalming explicitly.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered with Ministry of Interior. Teudat Petira issued.
Certificate in Hebrew only. Certified English translation mandatory.
Local funeral director and Ministry of Interior
British Embassy Tel Aviv notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming arranged (must be specifically requested)
Not standard Jewish burial practice. Must be explicitly requested for international repatriation.
Licensed local funeral director
Certified English translation and all export permits obtained
Allow 5-10 days. Cannot begin until teudat petira issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) to London Heathrow (LHR)
Once all documentation complete. El Al Cargo and British Airways serve TLV-LHR.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
UK funeral director takes custody. Coroner notified.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In United Kingdom
When the body arrives in the United Kingdom
The UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All Israeli documentation must be in certified English translation. The coroner for the district is notified. Straightforward cases proceed directly to funeral arrangements.
Consular support
FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000. The British Embassy in Tel Aviv can register the death and advise. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Israel to the United Kingdom
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Israel to the UK takes 7-14 days. The fastest cases complete in 5-7 days. Complex cases involving forensic inquiry can take 3-6 weeks.
No. Jewish law prohibits cremation and there are no cremation facilities in Israel. All repatriations from Israel must be full body repatriations, regardless of the religious background of the deceased.
Jewish burial tradition does not include embalming. Israeli funeral homes do not offer embalming as a standard service. For international air cargo repatriation, embalming to international standards is required and must be explicitly requested at the outset.
The core documents are: teudat petira (Israeli death certificate) with certified English translation, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and passport of the deceased.
The British Embassy in Tel Aviv can register the death with UK authorities, provide a list of local funeral directors, and advise on documentation. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
The UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All Israeli documentation must be in certified English translation. The coroner for the district is notified. Straightforward cases proceed directly to funeral arrangements.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died 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 to the United Kingdom.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO: When someone dies in Israel · Israel repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions