Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Slovenia
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Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Slovenia: what to expect
Slovenia is a popular destination for British ski tourists, drawn to Kranjska Gora and the Julian Alps, and for cultural visits to Ljubljana. The Slovenian community in the United Kingdom has been established since EU accession in 2004. When someone from the United Kingdom dies and their family wishes to repatriate remains to Slovenia, 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. The Slovenian Embassy in London can advise on documentation requirements for the local maticni urad (civil registry office) at the upravna enota (administrative unit). UK death certificates require certified Slovenian translation. Slovenia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1991. (FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Slovenia; Administrative Unit (Upravna enota), Slovenia, 2025.)
- Key document: death certificate (in English)
- Documentation takes 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Contact the Slovenia 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.
- Slovenia 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 Slovenia
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 999 for emergency services. Contact the Slovenia 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
Slovenia 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 Slovenia
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Slovenia 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 Slovenia
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United Kingdom to Slovenia 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 Slovenia Embassy in London can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Slovenia 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 Slovenian funeral director takes custody at Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport (LJU) cargo terminal. The local maticni urad (civil registry office) at the upravna enota (administrative unit) registers the death and issues a death certificate in Slovenian. Foreign documents require certified Slovenian translation. Slovenia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1991; apostille certificates from member states are accepted. Slovenia is an EU member. 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 Slovenia
When the body arrives in Slovenia
The Slovenian funeral director takes custody at Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport (LJU) cargo terminal. Death registration in Slovenia is handled by the local maticni urad (civil registry office) at the upravna enota (administrative unit). Death certificates are issued in Slovenian; foreign documents require certified Slovenian translation. Slovenia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1991; apostille certificates from member states are accepted. Slovenia is an EU member. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport. (Administrative Unit (Upravna enota), Slovenia, 2025; FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Slovenia.)
Consular support
The Slovenian Embassy or Consulate in London can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Slovenia. Slovenia joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 1991. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the local maticni urad (civil registry) via the upravna enota (administrative unit) in Slovenia 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 Slovenia.
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