Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Indonesia
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Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Indonesia: what to expect
Indonesia is a significant destination for British nationals, particularly Bali, which attracts large numbers of UK tourists and long-term visitors. British nationals also work in Indonesia in oil and gas, natural resources, and NGO sectors. The Indonesian Embassy in London is fully operational. When someone from the United Kingdom dies in Indonesia and their family wishes to repatriate remains, the death is registered with the Disdukcapil (civil registration service) in the relevant area. Indonesia has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 4 June 2022, so a document issued there is authenticated with an apostille from its designated authority rather than by full consular legalisation. (FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Indonesia; Disdukcapil / Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration, Indonesia, 2025.)
- Key document: death certificate (in English)
- Documentation takes 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Contact the Indonesia 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.
- Indonesia 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 Indonesia
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 999 for emergency services. Contact the Indonesia 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
Indonesia 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 Indonesia
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Indonesia 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 Indonesia
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United Kingdom to Indonesia takes 3-5 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 14-21 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 Indonesia Embassy in London can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Indonesia 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 Indonesian funeral director takes custody at Jakarta (CGK), Bali (DPS), Surabaya (SUB), or another cargo terminal depending on the final destination. The Disdukcapil (civil registration service) handles civil registration. Indonesia is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; all foreign documents must be attested by the Indonesian Embassy in the origin country and then by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta. A certified Indonesian translation is required for all non-Indonesian documentation. Police handle violent or unexplained deaths. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport.
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 Indonesia
When the body arrives in Indonesia
The Indonesian funeral director takes custody at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport Jakarta (CGK), Ngurah Rai International Airport Bali (DPS), or Juanda International Airport Surabaya (SUB) cargo terminal, depending on the final destination. Death registration in Indonesia is handled by the Dinas Kependudukan dan Pencatatan Sipil (Disdukcapil, the civil registration service) in the relevant regency or city. The death certificate (akta kematian) is issued in Indonesian. Police take jurisdiction for violent or unexplained deaths. Indonesia has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 4 June 2022, so a document issued there is authenticated with an apostille from its designated authority rather than by full consular legalisation. All foreign documents for use in Indonesia must be attested by the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate in the country of origin and then by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kementerian Luar Negeri) in Jakarta. A certified Indonesian translation is required for all non-Indonesian documentation. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport. (Disdukcapil / Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration, Indonesia, 2025; FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Indonesia.)
Consular support
The Indonesian Embassy or Consulate in London can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Indonesia. Indonesia is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; foreign documents must be attested by the Indonesian Embassy in London and then by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kementerian Luar Negeri) in Jakarta. A certified Indonesian translation is required. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the local Disdukcapil for civil registration queries.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
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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