Thinking about the end of life is always hard, but it can be helpful for some to plan ahead. If you or your loved ones want their bodies to be repatriated back to the UK from Spain, here’s what you need to know.
You may have spent your retirement in Spain, but perhaps you don’t want to be buried here. Maybe you want your final resting place to be back in the UK close to family who will be able to visit your grave easily, whenever they want.
Or maybe you’re the son or daughter of an elderly parent and you’re helping them research they’re wishes of being repatriated back to the UK when that time comes.
Perhaps a loved one in Spain has passed away already here and you’re feeling overwhelmed about how to transport their body or remains back to the UK.
READ ALSO: What to do when a foreigner dies in Spain
There are two ways to repatriate between Spain and the UK. The first is transport the actual body and the second is do a cremation in Spain and then transport the ashes back to the UK.
Spanish law requires that burial, cremation, or embalming takes place within 48 hours of death, unless special permission for delay is granted by the local authorities.
Therefore, if you’re wanting to transport the body back to the UK, embalming is the most common practice. This is legal requirement before remains can be transported internationally.
The first step is to find a funeral director in the UK that you want to go with. They often deal with repatriations and can help you through the process. They will also ensure that all the necessary documents are in place and local requirements have been met.
Or you could contact a special repatriation service yourself which has experience in transportation between Spain the UK. A quick Google search will bring up lots of different companies.
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Documents that your funeral director or a repatriation specialist will need include:
- Passport of the deceased
- Local death certificate
- Embalming certificate
- Freedom from infection certificate
- Body release form or permission to bring the person out of the country
Some of these documents you will need to provide, while others they will source themselves from the authorities.
How much does repatriation between the UK and Spain cost?
Prices vary depending on funeral parlour or repatriation service you use. They can start from around £1,900 (approx. €2,169) and go up to around £4,000 (€4,566).
Costs may be more expensive if you’re repatriating from the Canary Islands.
Repatriation costs can also be included in special repatriation funeral plans. This is the type of plan that you’ll pay into monthly in preparation for the end of life in order to have everything paid for in advance and so your loved ones won’t have to worry about anything.
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Taking ashes to the UK
It’s also possible to bring ashes back from Spain. Again, you can get a company to do this for you or you can bring the ashes back yourself.
For both processes, you will need:
- A copy of the death certificate
- The cremation certificate
- The deceased’s original passport
- A funeral director declaration
- A customs declaration – required for transporting human remains internationally. This can be completed by your funeral director.
Be aware that they may be different rules depending on where you are in Spain.
Bringing the ashes to the UK yourself
If you are taking the ashes with you when you leave Spain, you will also need to show the above documents.
Ashes can usually be transported in your carry-on luggage, but it’s best to check with your particular airline to make sure.
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How long does repatriation take between Spain and UK?
Typically, most companies say that the repatriation process takes between five and 10 working days.
It’s important to remember that often administrative processes in Spain can be slow and there may be hold ups with acquiring certain documents, so it’s important that you allow for a bit of extra time.
Timing also depends on flight availability.
The British Embassy in Madrid and its consulates across Spain can also help you through the process by liaising with local authorities, providing lists of translators and funeral directors. They can also issue emergency travel documents if needed.
