Repatriation from Italy to the UK: step by step
A clear guide to each stage of the process, from the first phone call through to your loved one's arrival in the UK.
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The repatriation process from Italy
Each step must be completed in sequence. Your repatriation coordinator manages the process, but knowing what to expect reduces uncertainty.
Immediate steps after death
Contact emergency services (112 for all emergencies, or 113 for police, 118 for ambulance). A doctor must certify the death. If death occurs outside a hospital, the Carabinieri (112) or Polizia di Stato (113) will …
Death registration and certificate
Death must be registered at the local comune (municipality). Italy's comuni system means procedures can vary slightly between municipalities. The doctor provides the initial medical certification, and the ufficio di …
Typically takes 2-7 days (varies by comune. Major cities may be faster. Small comuni may be slower.).
- Passport of deceased
- Medical certificate from doctor/hospital
Embassy/Consulate notification
British Embassy in Rome or the nearest consulate must be notified. Italy has multiple British consulates across the country, reflecting the spread of tourist destinations.
Embalming and preparation
Embalming is required for international repatriation. Italian funeral directors (imprese funebri or onoranze funebri) handle embalming. Italy has a well-established funeral industry with professional standards. Quality …
Coffin requirements
Zinc-lined hermetically sealed coffin (cassa zincata) required for international air transport per IATA regulations. Widely available across Italy.
Documentation for repatriation
Italian bureaucracy is notoriously slow. The comuni system means each municipality operates semi-independently. Nulla osta (clearance certificate) can sometimes be the bottleneck, particularly if post-mortem is involved. …
Typically takes 5-14 days for full documentation.
- Italian death certificate (certificato di morte)
- Certified translation if multilingual version unavailable
- Embalming certificate (certificato di imbalsamazione)
- Nulla osta (clearance certificate from the comune or police)
- Freedom from infection certificate
- Passport of deceased (or copy)
- Airline cargo documentation
Air transport to UK
Body transported as human remains cargo on commercial flights. Good aviation infrastructure from major Italian airports. Alitalia/ITA Airways and British Airways provide cargo services. Multiple direct routes to the UK.
Reception in UK
UK funeral director receives body at the airport, completes customs clearance, and transports to the chosen funeral home.
Timeline
How long does the process take?
Best case
5-10 days
Natural death, no post-mortem, documentation issued quickly.
Typical case
10-21 days
Most repatriations from Italy fall within this range.
Complex case
4-8 weeks
Post-mortem, inquest, criminal investigation, or remote location.
What can extend the timeline
- Italian bureaucracy and comuni system variation
- Nulla osta delays from public prosecutor
- Post-mortem investigation
- Death in remote location (Dolomites ski resort, rural Tuscany, small island)
- Sardinia or Sicily (adds internal transport step)
- Local patron saint feast days and public holidays (Italy has many: regional holidays vary)
- August closure (Ferragosto period, mid-August, much of Italy closes)
- Weekend closures of ufficio di stato civile
- Winter ski resort accessibility issues
Documentation checklist
Documents required for repatriation from Italy
- Italian death certificate (certificato di morte)
- Certified translation if multilingual version unavailable
- Embalming certificate (certificato di imbalsamazione)
- Nulla osta (clearance certificate from the comune or police)
- Freedom from infection certificate
- Passport of deceased (or copy)
- Airline cargo documentation
Documentation typically takes 5-14 days for full documentation to complete.
If a post-mortem is required
Post mortem ordered by the procuratore della Repubblica (public prosecutor) if death is sudden, violent, suspicious, or cause unknown.. Can delay repatriation by 2-6 weeks. Prosecutor must issue nulla osta (clearance) to release the body.
We handle the paperwork
Our team coordinates with local funeral directors in Italy to ensure all documentation is obtained correctly and on time.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about repatriation from Italy
Repatriation from Italy typically takes 10-21 days. The fastest cases complete in 5-10 days. Complex cases can take 4-8 weeks or longer.
Please contact our team for specific guidance. We are available 24 hours a day via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
The key documents are: local death certificate, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and airline cargo documentation. Your appointed coordinator obtains these on your behalf.
Please contact our team for specific guidance. We are available 24 hours a day via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
Please contact our team for specific guidance. We are available 24 hours a day via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
Please contact our team for specific guidance. We are available 24 hours a day via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
Please contact our team for specific guidance. We are available 24 hours a day via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
Please contact our team for specific guidance. We are available 24 hours a day via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
Official support
British Embassy in Italy
The British Embassy can provide information and a list of local funeral directors. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Start the process today
Our team handles every step of repatriation from Italy. Call us now or send an enquiry and we will respond as quickly as possible.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Updated May 2026.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Embassy contacts: Italy · Frequently asked questions