Organization of a body repatriation between France and a foreign country

For various reasons – death during a trip abroad, wish to be buried in the deceased’s homeland … – we are regularly asked to proceed with body repatriation to or from a foreign country.

With its experience in international repatriation of deceased, L’autre rive proceeds with transporting a dead body to the country of your choice or receive the human remains abroad.

Rapatriement du corps d'un défunt par avion

Repatriation formalities

We take charge all of the formalities needed for body repatriation.

This is to comply with the laws of the country of departure and arrival of the body, and with the rules of international law.

It is an essential part of our work because it guarantees smooth body repatriation.

Body repatriation from France to a foreign country: a ceremony can be held before the departure

There is always a time for meditation before closing the casket and leaving for the airport. Most often it is held where the body is laid out in the casket (funeral home or mortuary at the hospital). We can also organize a washing ritual and a moment of prayer if you wish.

This meditation time can be an opportunity to listen to readings, prayers or music.

International repatriation of deceased does not prevent the holding of a civil or religious ceremony in France, in a place outside the mortuary.

Cérémonie d'enterrement - fleurs naturelles - coupe de champagne

Transportation: By air or overland?

For body repatriation to a distant destination, the casket is transported by air.

However, for a destination in Europe, we also study the possibility of transportation by road.

The choice of mode of transport has an impact on cost, but also on the time needed.

On arrival, a local funeral home takes over to take the casket from the airport to your final destination.

Body repatriation cost

The cost of transporting remains to another country depends on the choice of casket, place of death, destination and mode of transport (air or overland).

For overland travel, the distance will determine the price.
By air, the weight of the casket will affect the cost.

We recommend contacting our funeral advisers to express your demands and ask any questions that may come to mind.

We will bring you the solutions and explanations needed to help you understand and will draw up a detailed estimate of the services provided.

Contact us immediately 24/7

Our funeral advisers are there to answer all your questions and share their experiences.

06 50 87 84 54

Legal obligations when transporting remains to another country: what you need to know

When transporting remains to another country, the casket must have a « hermetic casing », that is to say a metal casket, sealed by cold welding (resin). This sealed casing is placed inside the wooden casket, hidden by the quilting (the fabric that lines the inside of the casket). We speak of « leaden » or « zinc » casket but this metal casket is made of very fine aluminum.
Before closing the casket, the sealed casing is invisible as it is hidden under the quilting. At the time of closing, the metal lid is firstly positioned. The resin used for cold welding has a strong smell which can be quite unpleasant.
After closing the casket, if loved ones want the opportunity to view the deceased inside the casket, it is possible to create a « window ». The hermetic metal casing is fitted with a transparent Plexiglas part and the wooden casket has a hatch that can be opened or closed. We can arrange a window over the face only, or more to see almost all of the deceased.
All caskets more than 22 mm thick can travel by air regardless of the type of wood. In contrast, « windows » are not included on certain models.
Floral, even artificial, compositions cannot leave with the casket.
By road, the hearse leaves the place where the body is laid out and the casket closed to travel to the destination village or city. Depending on the configuration, two people can be seated in the vehicle and so travel at no extra cost.