Sending a Body Home: Step-by-Step Guide to Repatriating Remains from the UK to Zimbabwe

Losing a loved one is painful enough without navigating complex international paperwork alone. For the Zimbabwean diaspora in the UK, repatriating a body home is a process that involves multiple authorities, specific documentation, and careful coordination — but with the right guidance, it is manageable. This guide covers the full process from death in the UK to arrival in Zimbabwe. ## Step 1: Register the Death and Obtain a UK Death Certificate When someone dies in the UK, the death must be registered with the local Register Office, typically within five days in England and Wales. You will receive a death certificate, which is one of the core documents needed for repatriation. If the death was sudden, unexplained, or unattended, the coroner will become involved, which can extend the timeline by several days or longer. Do not attempt to proceed with repatriation until the coroner has released the body. ## Step 2: Appoint an International Funeral Director This is the most important practical step. An experienced international funeral director will manage the bulk of the process on your behalf. Several UK-based firms specialise in repatriation to Zimbabwe, including: - **Slaters International** — 0208 560 4984, fixed service fee of £1,995 plus flight charges - **Mears Repatriation** — 0800 731 4972, all-inclusive price of £2,975 based on a Harare flight - **Homeland International** — 03300 417 265, estimated total from £4,110 - **Global Funeral Repatriation** — 0330 175 7517, quoted at £4,200 all-inclusive - **Funero** — 020 455 927 05, estimated range of £2,300 to £3,500 Prices vary depending on coffin type, collection location (whether inside or outside the M25), flight costs, and additional services. Always request an itemised quote. ## Step 3: Embalming International repatriation requires embalming. This is non-negotiable for air freight of human remains. Your funeral director will carry this out and provide an embalming certificate. A zinc-lined coffin or metal casket meeting international transportation standards is also required. This is usually included in most packages or available as an add-on. ## Step 4: Gather the Required Documents The following documents are needed to repatriate remains from the UK to Zimbabwe. Your funeral director will obtain most of these, but you will need to provide some: **Documents you provide:** - Passport of the deceased (an expired passport is acceptable) - Two copies of the UK death certificate **Documents the funeral director obtains or arranges:** - Embalming certificate - Freedom from infection certificate (signed by a registered doctor) - Coroner's Out of England certificate (permission to remove remains from the country) — required in all repatriation cases - Export permit - Certificate of contents (declaration of coffin contents by the undertaker) - Airway bill (AWB) for the cargo flight **For clearance at the Zimbabwe end:** - All the above documents must be faxed or sent directly to the receiving funeral directors in Zimbabwe - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Harare must receive the documents before the body arrives - Zimbabwe funeral directors require at least one full working day to obtain the import permit Note: The Zimbabwe Embassy in London (Zimbabwe House, 429 Strand, London WC2R 0JR, tel: +44 20 7836 7755) only needs to be involved if the deceased's passport cannot be located. ## Step 5: Arrange the Flight Your funeral director will book cargo space on a commercial airline to Harare International Airport, which is located approximately 15 kilometres south-east of the city centre and has customs clearance facilities for international repatriations. The coffin is wrapped in protective sheeting before being transferred to the airport and handed to cargo handlers along with all documentation, which is securely attached to the outside of the coffin. Flight costs vary and are usually quoted separately. Once the flight is confirmed, your funeral director will notify you so you can book your own travel. ## Step 6: Receiving the Body in Zimbabwe A funeral director in Zimbabwe must be arranged to receive the remains at Harare airport. Your UK funeral director will coordinate with them directly. The Zimbabwean funeral directors will handle customs clearance using the import permit and accompanying documentation. It is strongly recommended to contact Zimbabwe-based funeral directors directly rather than routing everything through the embassy, as this avoids unnecessary delays. All documentation must reflect the name exactly as it appears on the deceased's Zimbabwean identity documents. ## Timeline and Costs Repatriation from the UK to Zimbabwe typically takes **7 to 10 working days** under normal circumstances. Coroner involvement or missing documents can extend this. Total costs generally fall between **£2,300 and £4,200** depending on the provider and specific circumstances. ## Check for Insurance Cover Before committing to any costs, check whether the deceased had travel insurance, life insurance, or a funeral plan that covers repatriation. Some policies cover the full cost. If the person was a member of a Zimbabwean community association or burial society in the UK, contact them immediately — many offer financial assistance or have pre-arranged repatriation plans. ## Cremated Remains If the deceased was cremated in the UK and ashes are being sent to Zimbabwe, the process is simpler. Some funeral directors, including Global Funeral Repatriation, offer a personal delivery service for ashes, collecting from any UK address and delivering to any location in Zimbabwe without using postal or courier services.