Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Italy to Japan
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Quick answer
Repatriation from Italy to Japan: what to expect
Japanese nationals form a tourist and professional community in Italy, with significant numbers in Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan. Italy is one of the top destinations for Japanese tourists worldwide, and Japanese residents working in Italian fashion, arts, and gastronomy industries have grown in recent years. Italian documentation requires certified Japanese translation for Japanese municipal registry purposes. The Japanese Embassy in Rome handles consular matters. (Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MOFA, 2025.)
- Key documents: Certificato di morte (death certificate) from the comune
- Documentation takes 5-14 days. Variation between northern and southern Italy comuni.
- British Embassy in Rome registers the death and advises. They cannot fund repatriation.
- Post-mortem ordered by procuratore if death is sudden, violent, or cause unknown.
- Japan Embassy in Rome can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: Italy to Japan
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call +44 (0)20 7008 5000 (FCDO) or +81 3 3580 3311.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered at local comune. Certificato di morte and atti di morte issued.
Doctor provides initial certificate. Comune registers and issues the atti di morte.
Local funeral director and comune
Japan Embassy in Rome notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming (imbalsamazione or tanatoprassi)
Italian funeral industry is professional.
Licensed local funeral director
Nulla osta and all export permits obtained
Allow 5-14 days for full documentation. Post-mortem cases take longer.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Rome (FCO), Milan (MXP/LIN), or Venice (VCE)
Once all documentation complete and nulla osta issued.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Japan funeral director takes custody. receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
The process
Key steps for Italy to UK repatriation
Contact emergency services (112). A doctor certifies the death. Death must be registered at the local comune. The doctor provides the initial certificate and the comune issues the atti di morte.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Italy to Japan
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Italy to Japan takes 10-21 days. The fastest cases complete in 5-10 days. Complex cases involving the procuratore della Repubblica can take 4-8 weeks.
The nulla osta is the clearance document from the comune or, when the procuratore is involved, from the prosecutor's office. It authorises release of the body for international repatriation and cannot be bypassed.
The core documents are: Certificato di morte, Nulla osta (clearance), Embalming certificate (certificato di imbalsamazione), Freedom from infection certificate.
The Japan Embassy in Rome can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Japan Embassy in Rome as soon as possible after the death.
The Japanese funeral director takes custody at Narita (NRT) or Kansai (KIX) cargo terminal. The municipality registers the death in the koseki. A sanitised coffin certificate and laissez-passer must accompany the remains. Documents not in Japanese require certified Japanese translation. The receiving funeral director coordinates with the municipal office and health authorities.
Yes. Cremation in Italy and bringing ashes home to the UK is an option. You will need the certificato di morte, cremation certificate, and nulla osta.
In Japan
When the body arrives in Japan
The Japanese funeral director (sosogiya) takes custody at Narita International (NRT) or Kansai International (KIX) cargo terminal. The municipality (shi/ku/cho/son) registers the death in the koseki (family register). A sanitised coffin certificate and laissez-passer must accompany the remains. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) regulations apply to the import of human remains. Documents not in Japanese require certified Japanese translation. (Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MOFA, 2025.)
Consular support
Japanese Embassy in Rome can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Japan. Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) emergency line: +81 3 3580 3311 (24 hours). The Japanese Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
We are here to help, any time of day or night
If your loved one has passed away in Italy, please do not face this alone. Our team will guide you through every step of bringing them home.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Updated June 2026.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Italy repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions