# Repatriation to Jamaica from the UK: documents, steps and timings

> To repatriate a body to Jamaica from the UK, get the coroner's permission, then a licensed Jamaican funeral director must get an import permit from the Medical Officer (Health) for the parish of entry. The body travels embalmed in a leak-proof container with the death certificate, embalming certificate and certificate of release, and the health authorities need 24 hours' notice.

Source: https://funeralfinder.org/uk/guides/repatriation-to-jamaica/ — updated 2026-09-25 — FuneralFinder

Many families with Jamaican roots want a loved one laid to rest in Jamaica, close to family. Jamaica's rules are clearly set out by its Ministry of Health and Wellness, and much of the work falls to a licensed funeral director in Jamaica. This guide explains the UK permissions, the Jamaican import permit and the documents that must travel with the body or ashes.

**Key points**

- **Register the death** and get the **coroner's permission** before the person leaves the UK.
- A **licensed Jamaican funeral director** must get an **import permit** from the Medical Officer (Health) for the parish of entry **before** the body arrives.
- The body normally travels **embalmed** in a **leak-proof container**, with its documents.
- The health authorities need **at least 24 hours' notice** of arrival.
- **Ashes** are simpler: an urn or impervious container, with the right certificates.
- The **Funeral Expenses Payment usually can't be used** for a funeral in Jamaica.

## The UK side: permission to move the person

Register the death first: within five days of the medical examiner's office confirming it can be registered (England and Wales), eight days (Scotland) or five days (Northern Ireland). Jamaica needs a death certificate that **states the cause of death**.

| Where the person died | What's needed before they can leave |
|---|---|
| **England and Wales** | The coroner's permission, whether or not the death was reported to a coroner. The funeral director gives notice of intention to remove the body (often called "Form 104") with the green form or the coroner's order, at least **four clear days** before the move, unless the coroner releases sooner. |
| **Scotland** | Register in Scotland (Form 14). GOV.UK points to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and your funeral director will confirm whether a fiscal certificate is needed. |
| **Northern Ireland** | The coroner issues a certificate allowing removal, usually to the funeral director, once satisfied about the cause of death. |

No coroner's permission is needed to take ashes abroad.

## Jamaica's requirements

### The import permit

Under the Ministry of Health and Wellness guidelines, the **consignee**, a licensed funeral director in Jamaica, must get a permit from the **Medical Officer (Health)** for the parish where the body will enter, before it arrives. The application needs:

- a death certificate stating the cause of death
- an embalming certificate, unless embalming is forbidden on religious grounds
- a cremation certificate, if relevant
- a fee.

The permit is shown to **Customs**, which holds the remains until it is produced.

### Transport

- The body must be in a **leak-proof container**, hermetically sealed if the death involved a quarantinable disease.
- The airline or importer must notify the health authorities **at least 24 hours** before arrival.

### Documents that travel with the body

Jamaica's Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidance (published in 2016) lists:

| For a body | For ashes |
|---|---|
| Death certificate or post-mortem report | Death certificate |
| Certificate of release (transit permit) | Certificate of release |
| Embalming certificate | Cremation certificate |
| Statement that the casket is sealed | |

Ask your UK funeral director which UK document serves as the certificate of release.

### The Jamaican High Commission

The High Commission in London has a page on transporting human remains to Jamaica. The fee on it applies to remains **leaving** Jamaica, so don't rely on it. Call 020 7823 9911 with questions.

## What affects the timing

Allow for registration, the coroner's notice period, embalming, the permit in Jamaica, the 24-hour arrival notice and airline cargo space. If the family is planning the funeral in Jamaica some weeks ahead so relatives can travel, build the paperwork into that timetable.

## Faith considerations

Many Jamaican funerals are Christian, across churches including Pentecostal, Baptist, Anglican, Adventist and Catholic. Many families hold a service or thanksgiving in the UK, then a funeral and burial in Jamaica; nine night may be held in either place. Most Christian churches accept cremation, so taking **ashes** is an option for many families.

## Costs

Costs usually include the UK funeral director's collection, care and paperwork, embalming, a suitable coffin, air freight, the Jamaican funeral director's charges and permit fee, relatives' flights and the funeral in Jamaica. Taking ashes usually costs much less. Ask at least two specialists for itemised written quotes.

The GOV.UK **Funeral Expenses Payment** needs the funeral to be in the UK, the EEA or Switzerland, so it usually can't help with a funeral in Jamaica. In Northern Ireland the funeral must usually be in the UK, and Scotland's Funeral Support Payment covers a funeral abroad only in some circumstances. Family contributions and church support often help.

## Alternatives

- **Burial in the UK**, with a memorial in Jamaica.
- **Cremation in the UK and taking the ashes.** Use an urn or impervious container, carry the documents above and check airline rules. GOV.UK notes airlines may want a non-metallic container so it can be X-rayed.

## Where to get help

- Our [repatriation guide](/uk/guides/repatriation/) and [Caribbean funerals in the UK](/uk/guides/caribbean-funerals-in-the-uk/).
- Search [funeral directors near you](/uk/funeral-directors-near-me/) and ask about repatriation to Jamaica.
- Faith guides: [Christian](/faiths/christian/), [Pentecostal and evangelical](/faiths/pentecostal-evangelical/) and [Baptist](/faiths/baptist/) funerals.
- See also [scattering ashes](/uk/guides/scattering-ashes/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Who applies for the permit to bring a body into Jamaica?

Under Jamaica's Ministry of Health and Wellness guidelines, the consignee, a licensed funeral director in Jamaica, applies to the Medical Officer (Health) for the parish where the body will enter. Customs hold the remains until the permit is shown.

### Is embalming required for repatriation to Jamaica?

The Ministry of Health and Wellness guidelines ask for an embalming certificate unless embalming is forbidden for religious reasons. Your funeral director can advise on what to provide in that case.

### Can we take ashes to Jamaica?

Yes. The guidelines say ashes should be in an urn or other impervious container and travel with their documents, but they are exempt from the 24-hour notice. Jamaica's foreign ministry has listed the cremation certificate, death certificate and certificate of release. Check the airline's rules too.

### Does the Jamaican High Commission charge a fee?

The fee shown on the High Commission's page relates to remains leaving Jamaica, not arriving. The Jamaican health permit has a fee, paid by the Jamaican funeral director. Call the High Commission on 020 7823 9911 to check current charges.

### Can we hold a service in the UK first?

Yes. Many families hold a service or thanksgiving in the UK, then a funeral and burial in Jamaica. Our [Caribbean funerals in the UK](/uk/guides/caribbean-funerals-in-the-uk/) guide explains traditions such as nine night.

## Sources

- [GOV.UK – Arrange the funeral (moving a body for a funeral abroad)](https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/arrange-the-funeral)
- [legislation.gov.uk – Removal of Bodies Regulations 1954](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1954/448/made)
- [legislation.gov.uk – Coroners Act (Northern Ireland) 1959, section 25](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/apni/1959/15/section/25)
- [Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service – Contact](https://www.copfs.gov.uk/contact/)
- [Jamaican High Commission London – Transportation of human remains to Jamaica](http://www.jhcuk.org/citizens/consular/transportation-of-human-remains-to-jamaica)
- [Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica – Guidelines for the importation of human remains (via Jamaican High Commission)](http://www.jhcuk.org/assets/files/guidelines-for-the-importation-of-human-remains.pdf)
- [GOV.UK – What to do when someone dies abroad (travelling with ashes)](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/what-to-do-when-someone-dies-abroad)
- [GOV.UK – Funeral Expenses Payment eligibility](https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/eligibility)
- [mygov.scot – Funeral Support Payment: who can apply](https://www.mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment/who-can-apply-and-when)
- [nidirect – Funeral Expenses Payment](https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/funeral-expenses-payment)