Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Papua New Guinea
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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.
Key facts
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Papua New Guinea: what to expect
Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth member with historical ties to the United Kingdom through the colonial era and post-independence partnership. British nationals work in Papua New Guinea in the resources, development, and aid sectors. The British High Commission in Port Moresby is fully operational. When someone from the United Kingdom dies and their family wishes to repatriate remains to Papua New Guinea, 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. For deaths in remote areas of PNG, transfer to Port Moresby may add significant time. A specialist with experience of PNG procedures is strongly recommended. Papua New Guinea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member. (FCDO Travel Advice: Papua New Guinea, 2025; Civil Registration Authority, Department of Justice and Attorney General, PNG, 2025.)
- Key document: death certificate (in English)
- Documentation takes 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Contact the Papua New Guinea 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.
- Papua New Guinea Embassy in London can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: the United Kingdom to Papua New Guinea
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 999 for emergency services. Contact the Papua New Guinea 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
Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United Kingdom to Papua New Guinea takes 4-8 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 3-5 weeks. Complex cases can take 10-16 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 Papua New Guinea Embassy in London can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea funeral director takes custody at Jacksons International Airport (POM) in Port Moresby cargo terminal. For deaths in remote locations, transfer to Port Moresby is required before international repatriation can proceed. The Civil Registration Authority under the Department of Justice and Attorney General registers the death and issues a death certificate in English. All foreign documents require consular authentication. Papua New Guinea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member. Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth member. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required. A specialist with experience of PNG procedures is essential.
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 Papua New Guinea
When the body arrives in Papua New Guinea
The Papua New Guinea funeral director takes custody at Jacksons International Airport (POM) in Port Moresby cargo terminal. For deaths in remote areas, the body must be transferred to Port Moresby before international repatriation can proceed. Death registration in Papua New Guinea is handled by the Civil Registration Authority under the Department of Justice and Attorney General. Death certificates are issued in English. Papua New Guinea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication of all foreign documents is required. Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth member. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for all air imports; a specialist is essential on this corridor given the geographic and logistical complexity. (Civil Registration Authority, Department of Justice and Attorney General, Papua New Guinea, 2025; FCDO Travel Advice: Papua New Guinea, 2025.)
Consular support
The Papua New Guinea High Commission or Embassy in London can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required for all foreign documents. The High Commission cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Civil Registration Authority in Papua New Guinea for civil registration queries.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
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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