Everything to find out about repatriation between Spain and the UK

You might have spent your retirement in Spain, however maybe you don’t wish to be buried right here. Maybe you need your closing resting place to be again within the UK near household who will be capable of go to your grave simply, at any time when they need.

Or possibly you’re the son or daughter of an aged dad or mum and also you’re serving to them analysis they’re needs of being repatriated again to the UK when that point comes.

Perhaps a beloved one in Spain has handed away already right here and you are feeling overwhelmed about transport their physique or stays again to the UK.

READ ALSO: What to do when a foreigner dies in Spain

There are two methods to repatriate between Spain and the UK. The first is transport the precise physique and the second is do a cremation in Spain after which transport the ashes again to the UK.

Spanish regulation requires that burial, cremation, or embalming takes place inside 48 hours of dying, until particular permission for delay is granted by the native authorities.

Therefore, in the event you’re wanting to move the physique again to the UK, embalming is the commonest observe. This is authorized requirement earlier than stays will be transported internationally.

The first step is to discover a funeral director within the UK that you just wish to go along with. They usually take care of repatriations and may also help you thru the method. They will even be certain that all the required paperwork are in place and native necessities have been met.

Or you possibly can contact a particular repatriation service your self which has expertise in transportation between Spain the UK. A fast Google search will convey up plenty of totally different firms.

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Documents that your funeral director or a repatriation specialist will want embrace:

• Passport of the deceased
• Local dying certificates
• Embalming certificates
• Freedom from an infection certificates
• Body launch type or permission to convey the particular person in a foreign country

Some of those paperwork you will have to supply, whereas others they’ll supply themselves from the authorities.

How a lot does repatriation between the UK and Spain price?

Prices range relying on funeral parlour or repatriation service you utilize. They can begin from round £1,900 (approx. €2,169) and go as much as round £4,000 (€4,566).

Costs could also be costlier in the event you’re repatriating from the Canary Islands.

Repatriation prices may also be included in particular repatriation funeral plans. This is the kind of plan that you just’ll pay into month-to-month in preparation for the top of life in an effort to have all the pieces paid for upfront and so your family members gained’t have to fret about something.

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Taking ashes to the UK

It’s additionally attainable to convey ashes again from Spain. Again, you may get an organization to do that for you or you may convey the ashes again your self.

For each processes, you will have:

• A replica of the dying certificates
• The cremation certificates
• The deceased’s authentic passport
• A funeral director declaration
• A customs declaration – required for transporting human stays internationally. This will be accomplished by your funeral director.

Be conscious that they might be totally different guidelines relying on the place you might be in Spain.

Bringing the ashes to the UK your self

If you’re taking the ashes with you whenever you go away Spain, additionally, you will want to point out the above paperwork.

Ashes can often be transported in your carry-on baggage, nevertheless it’s greatest to verify together with your explicit airline to verify.

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How lengthy does repatriation take between Spain and UK?

Typically, most firms say that the repatriation course of takes between 5 and 10 working days.

It’s essential to do not forget that usually administrative processes in Spain will be gradual and there could also be maintain ups with buying sure paperwork, so it’s essential that you just enable for a bit of additional time.

Timing additionally will depend on flight availability. 

The British Embassy in Madrid and its consulates throughout Spain may assist you by the method by liaising with native authorities, offering lists of translators and funeral administrators. They may challenge emergency journey paperwork if wanted.