Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Georgia
For families bringing someone home to Georgia. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Need help now?
Send us the detailsKey facts
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Georgia: what to expect
Georgia has become an increasingly popular destination for British travellers, and a growing hub for British entrepreneurs drawn by the country's liberal visa policy and emerging business culture. When someone from the United Kingdom dies and their family wishes to repatriate remains to Georgia, the death must be registered at the local register office in England and Wales within 5 days, or with the National Records of Scotland or GRONI in Northern Ireland. The Georgian Embassy in London can advise on documentation requirements for the Public Services Development Agency (PSDA). UK death certificates require certified Georgian translation. Georgia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2007. (FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Georgia; Public Services Development Agency (PSDA), Georgia, 2025.)
- Key document: death certificate (in English)
- Documentation takes 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Contact the Georgia High Commission or Embassy in London for documentation requirements. They cannot fund repatriation.
- Death must be registered with the local register office (or National Records of Scotland / GRONI) promptly.
- Georgia Embassy in London can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in the United Kingdom
Call 999 for emergency services. Death is certified by a physician or, where necessary, the coroner. The death must be registered at the local register office in England and Wales within 5 days, or with the National Records of Scotland or GRONI in Northern Ireland. The coroner takes jurisdiction for sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths and must issue a removal order before the body can leave England and Wales. The United Kingdom is a Hague Apostille Convention member. Coroner cases add time: the coroner must be satisfied the body may leave before issuing the order for removal out of England and Wales.
Step by step
Timeline: the United Kingdom to Georgia
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 999 for emergency services. Contact the Georgia High Commission or Embassy in London.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Death certificate obtained.
Death must be registered with the local register office (or National Records of Scotland / GRONI). Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
Georgia High Commission or Embassy in London notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation and permits obtained.
Allow 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Georgia
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Georgia funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from the United Kingdom to Georgia
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United Kingdom to Georgia takes 2-4 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 10-14 days. Complex cases can take 6-12 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with the local register office (or National Records of Scotland / GRONI) promptly. Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may add time before the body can be released.
The core documents are: death certificate with certified translation where required, embalming certificate, export permit, freedom from infection certificate, and passport of the deceased. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The Georgia Embassy in London can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Georgia Embassy in London as soon as possible after the death.
Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Georgian funeral director takes custody at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) or Batumi International Airport (BUS) cargo terminal. The Public Services Development Agency (PSDA) operates Justice House civil registry offices, which register the death and issue the sikvdilis sabuTi (death certificate) in Georgian. Foreign documents require certified Georgian translation before submission to the PSDA. Georgia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2007; apostille certificates from member states are accepted. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required.
Cremation in the United Kingdom is widely available. A second medical certificate is required for cremation before the body can be removed. If the coroner is involved, a coroner's certificate replaces the second medical certificate. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and relevant export documentation. Your repatriation specialist can advise on the current position.
In Georgia
When the body arrives in Georgia
The Georgian funeral director takes custody at Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) or Batumi International Airport (BUS) cargo terminal. Death registration in Georgia is handled by the Public Services Development Agency (PSDA), which operates Justice House civil registry offices across the country. The death certificate (sikvdilis sabuTi) is issued in Georgian (Mkhedruli script); foreign documents require certified Georgian translation. Georgia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2007; apostille certificates from member states are accepted. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport. (Public Services Development Agency (PSDA), Georgia, 2025; FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Georgia.)
Consular support
The Georgian Embassy or Consulate in London can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Georgia. Georgia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2007. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Public Services Development Agency (PSDA) in Georgia for civil registration queries.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in the United Kingdom, 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 Georgia.
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 gov.uk · Frequently asked questions