Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Kenya to the United Kingdom
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Repatriation from Kenya to the UK: what to expect
Repatriation from Kenya requires an additional Port Health clearance step. Deaths in safari areas require internal transfer to Nairobi before any international process can begin. Typical timeline: 14-28 days.
- Key documents: Kenyan death certificate and Port Health clearance (freedom from infection)
- Documentation takes 7-21 days. All documentation and cargo departs from Nairobi.
- British High Commission in Nairobi registers the death and advises. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
The repatriation process from Kenya
Contact emergency services (999 or 112). If death occurs outside hospital, police must attend. Contact the British High Commission in Nairobi. Death must be registered with the civil registrar at the district office. Deaths in safari areas require road or charter aircraft transfer to Nairobi.
Step by step
Timeline: Kenya to the United Kingdom
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered with civil registrar. Burial permit obtained.
Funeral director handles registration. Safari area deaths require transfer to Nairobi first.
Local funeral director and civil registrar
British High Commission Nairobi notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. High Commission provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming in Nairobi
Professional embalming facilities available in Nairobi. Limited outside the capital.
Licensed local funeral director
Port Health clearance and all export permits obtained
Allow 7-21 days. Port Health is an additional step specific to Kenya.
Local funeral director and Port Health
Air cargo from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO)
Once all documentation complete. Kenya Airways and British Airways serve NBO-LHR direct.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
UK funeral director takes custody. Coroner notified.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Kenya to the United Kingdom
In a straightforward Nairobi case, repatriation from Kenya to the UK takes 10-14 days. Deaths in safari areas or remote locations add significant time for internal transfer. Most cases take 14-28 days. Complex cases can take 6-12 weeks.
Contact a UK repatriation specialist and the FCDO emergency line (+44 (0)20 7008 5000) immediately. Deaths in the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, or other remote areas require road or light aircraft transfer to Nairobi before any documentation can begin.
The core documents are: Kenyan death certificate, Embalming certificate, Port Health clearance (freedom from infection certificate), Police report/clearance, and Passport of the deceased.
The British High Commission in Nairobi 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 Kenyan documentation must be in certified English. The coroner for the district is notified. Straightforward cases proceed directly to funeral arrangements.
Yes. Cremation in Kenya and bringing ashes home to the UK is an option. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and Port Health clearance.
In United Kingdom
When the body arrives in the United Kingdom
The UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All Kenyan documentation must be in certified English. The coroner for the district is notified. Straightforward cases proceed to funeral arrangements.
Consular support
FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000. The FCDO can provide information and a list of local funeral directors. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Kenya, 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 Kenya · Kenya repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions