Coffin Flights
When a loved one passes away abroad, we handle the coffin flight and repatriation of their remains with dignity and full regulatory compliance — managing customs, consular and airline documentation so the family is not left to navigate unfamiliar procedures alone.
Who this service is for
- Families needing to repatriate a deceased loved one from abroad to their home country.
- Executors, insurers or assistance companies responsible for arranging a compliant international repatriation.
- Cases requiring coordination with foreign authorities, consulates and funeral service providers.
- Situations where timing is sensitive and clear, compassionate communication with the family matters.
What's included
- Coordination with local authorities, the consulate and funeral service providers at the place of death.
- Preparation of all customs, consular and airline documentation required for international transport.
- Compliant casket or container sourcing and transport arrangements meeting destination-country requirements.
- A single point of contact for the family throughout the process, handled with discretion and care.
- Coordination with the receiving funeral home for final arrangements at destination.
Documents commonly required
Requirements depend on the country where the death occurred and on the destination country. The documents most often requested are:
- Death certificate, and a medical certificate or statement of the cause of death.
- Authorisation from the local authorities to transport the remains, including after any inquiry or autopsy.
- Certificates for the preparation of the body and for the sealed coffin, where required.
- Consular authorisation and any transit or import permits.
- Identity documents of the deceased and of the family representative.
We prepare and check this file for you: you do not need to know the list in advance.
How long does it take?
The time depends on the country, on the local authorities (in particular if an inquiry or autopsy is required), on how quickly civil and consular documents are issued, and on the flight itself. We give you an estimate as soon as the case has been reviewed, and we never promise a date we cannot hold. You are kept informed at every step.
Transport on a dedicated aircraft
The deceased is flown on a dedicated private aircraft arranged for each case. The departure can therefore be aligned with the completion of the formalities and with the family's wishes, and the route is planned directly towards the destination, with technical stops only if the distance requires them. One of our coordinators follows the transport until the receiving funeral home takes over.
What affects the cost
We do not publish a fixed price, because each repatriation is different. The main factors are the distance and route, the aircraft required, the preparation and coffin requirements at the place of death and at the destination, local fees and formalities, and how urgent the transfer is. A free, itemised quote is sent within one hour of receiving the information needed to prepare it.
Further reading
How it works
First call & liaison
We liaise with local authorities, the consulate and funeral service providers at the place of death from the first call.
Documentation prepared
We prepare the death certificate, consular authorization and customs clearance required for international transport.
Compliant transport arranged
A compliant casket or container and airline transport are arranged to meet the destination country's requirements.
Handover to the receiving funeral home
We coordinate directly with the receiving funeral home so the family only has to manage the final arrangements.
Common questions
Requirements vary by country but typically include a death certificate, consular authorization and customs clearance for the transport of remains — we prepare and coordinate this documentation on the family's behalf.
Timing depends on local administrative procedures at the place of death, but we work to complete every step as quickly as compliance allows, keeping the family informed throughout.
Yes — we regularly coordinate repatriations from locations with limited local infrastructure, working with whatever local authorities and providers are available to complete the process as smoothly as possible.
In some cases, yes. It depends on the aircraft and on the regulations of the countries involved. Your coordinator confirms what is possible for your situation.
Many assistance and travel insurance contracts include repatriation of remains, but coverage depends on the contract. Contact your insurer as early as possible: we can coordinate directly with them.
No. Our service covers the air transport of remains in a coffin. For ashes, a funeral director can advise you on the formalities.
Our line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: +33 6 49 57 33 00. A coordinator takes over from the first call.
We coordinate with the receiving funeral home so the family only has to manage the final arrangements. A coordinator stays available until the handover is complete.
Related services
A medical situation abroad can't wait.
Our coordinators are available right now — every day, at any hour.