Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to New Zealand
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Quick answer
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to New Zealand: what to expect
New Zealand is home to over 200,000 UK-born residents, one of the most established British communities in any country. The UK-New Zealand migration corridor is among the most active between any two countries, facilitated by shared language, cultural ties, and the long-running Working Holiday visa arrangement. The British High Commission in Wellington is fully operational. When someone from the United Kingdom dies and their family wishes to repatriate remains to New Zealand, 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 UK death certificate is apostilled; both countries are Hague Apostille Convention members. The New Zealand High Commission in London can advise on documentation requirements. New Zealand Customs clearance is required on arrival. (FCDO Travel Advice: New Zealand, 2025; New Zealand BDM, Department of Internal Affairs, 2025.)
- Key document: death certificate (in English)
- Documentation takes 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Contact the New Zealand 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.
- New Zealand Embassy in London can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: the United Kingdom to New Zealand
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 999 for emergency services. Contact the New Zealand 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
New Zealand 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 New Zealand
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
New Zealand funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
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.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from the United Kingdom to New Zealand
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United Kingdom to New Zealand takes 2-4 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 10-14 days. Complex cases can take 4-8 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 New Zealand Embassy in London can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the New Zealand 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 New Zealand funeral director takes custody at Auckland (AKL), Wellington (WLG), or Christchurch (CHC) cargo terminal. The BDM office within the Department of Internal Affairs registers the death under the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021. The Coroner may be notified for sudden or unexplained deaths. New Zealand Customs clearance is required. New Zealand joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2001. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required. The receiving funeral director coordinates with the local BDM office and Customs.
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 New Zealand
When the body arrives in New Zealand
The New Zealand funeral director takes custody at Auckland International Airport (AKL), Wellington Airport (WLG), or Christchurch Airport (CHC) cargo terminal, depending on the family's destination. Death registration in New Zealand is handled by the Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) office within the Department of Internal Affairs (Te Tari Taiwhenua). The death must be registered under the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Act 2021. The Coroner may need to be notified under the Coroners Act 2006 for sudden or unexplained deaths. All foreign documentation must be authenticated for import. New Zealand Customs clearance is required for all imported human remains. New Zealand joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2001; apostille certificates from member states are accepted. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for all air imports. (New Zealand BDM / Department of Internal Affairs, 2025; New Zealand Customs Service, 2025; FCDO Travel Advice: New Zealand, 2025.)
Consular support
The New Zealand High Commission or Embassy responsible for London can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to New Zealand. New Zealand joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2001. The High Commission cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact New Zealand BDM (Department of Internal Affairs) for civil registration queries. New Zealand MFAT emergency line: +64 4 439 8000 (24 hours).
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
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If your loved one has passed away in the United Kingdom, 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 · the United Kingdom repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions