How do you bring a loved one home from Malta?

First 24 hours

What should happen in the first 24 hours after a death in Malta?

Call 112 for police and ambulance. A doctor must certify the death before the body can be moved. If the death is sudden or unnatural, the Maltese police will involve the duty magistrate, who may order a post-mortem. Contact your travel insurer and FCDO within 24 hours.

The most important step is to contact a specialist repatriation company. They will tell you exactly what to do and begin coordinating with local authorities on your behalf.

Timeline

How long does repatriation from Malta take?

In most cases, repatriation from Malta takes 8-12 days. The fastest straightforward cases complete in 5 days. Complex cases involving a post-mortem, criminal investigation, or a remote location can extend to 21+ days or beyond.

What makes a case complex?

• Post-mortem ordered by Maltese coroner
• Weekend or public holiday delays
• Documentation missing from the deceased's home country
• Insurance disputes causing hold

Documentation

What documents are required to bring a body home from Malta?

All of these documents must be in place before air transport can proceed. Your appointed repatriation coordinator will obtain most of them.

• ÄŠertifikat tal-Mewt (Maltese death certificate)
• Freedom from infection certificate (embalmer's certificate)
• Permission to remove remains from Malta (issued by Maltese authorities)
• Passport of deceased
• Embalming certificate

Documentation typically takes 2-5 working days to complete.

Post-mortem

Will a post-mortem be required in Malta?

Required when death is sudden, unnatural, or the cause is unclear. The duty magistrate in Malta orders post-mortems for these cases. Common triggers include road accidents, drowning, and deaths without a treating physician..

Adds 3-10 days depending on pathologist availability and magistrate scheduling. Post-mortem results must be certified before the permission to remove is issued.

British Embassy

What does the British Embassy in Malta do when someone dies?

The British Embassy provides consular assistance, which includes giving you a list of local funeral directors, helping you notify relatives, and advising on local procedures. What the Embassy cannot do is pay for repatriation, organise the funeral director, or make arrangements on your behalf.

Alternative option

Can ashes be brought home from Malta instead of a full body?

Yes, cremation facilities are available in Malta. Transporting ashes to the UK requires specific documents and must comply with airline regulations.

Getting started

How do you start the repatriation process from Malta?

Call a specialist repatriation company. Do not wait until all other steps are complete. A specialist can begin the process immediately, even before the local death certificate has been issued.

You will need to provide: the name of the deceased, the location of the body, your contact details, and the name and contact of the local hospital or authority holding the body.

More questions

Other frequently asked questions about repatriation from Malta