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

> To repatriate a body to Nigeria from the UK, get the coroner's permission, then meet Nigeria's health requirements: an embalming certificate, a verified sealed coffin and an international death certificate. If one can't be met, a waiver from the Federal Ministry of Health's Port Health Services is needed. Confirm current requirements with the Nigeria High Commission in London.

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

Many Nigerian families in the UK want a loved one buried in their hometown, among family. Repatriation to Nigeria is common, but the Nigeria High Commission doesn't publish a step-by-step procedure, so an experienced funeral director is especially valuable. This guide sets out what the UK and Nigerian authorities require and what to check.

**Key points**

- **Register the death** and get the **coroner's permission** before the person can leave the UK.
- Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health names three **standard requirements**: an embalming certificate, a verified sealed coffin and an international death certificate.
- If one can't be met, a **Port Health Services waiver** is needed, typically taking **48 to 72 hours**.
- The **High Commission** has no published repatriation page, so contact its consular section.
- Muslim families usually want a **quick burial**.
- The **Funeral Expenses Payment usually can't be used** for a funeral in Nigeria.

## The UK side: permission to move the person

First register the death: 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). Our [death registration deadline tool](/uk/tools/death-registration-deadline/) can help.

| 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 registrar's green form or coroner's order, at least **four clear days** before the move, unless the coroner releases sooner. |
| **Scotland** | Register the death in Scotland (Form 14 goes to the funeral director). GOV.UK points to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service; 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. |

Don't book flights until permission has been given.

## Nigeria's requirements

### Health requirements

Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health says the standard requirements for bringing a body into Nigeria are:

| Requirement | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| **Embalming certificate** | The UK funeral director embalms the person and certifies it. |
| **Sealed coffin verification** | Confirmation that the coffin is sealed for international transport. |
| **International death certificate** | Ask your funeral director which UK death documents are accepted. |

If any of these can't be met, the family needs a **waiver from Port Health Services**, which the ministry says typically takes 48 to 72 hours.

### The Nigeria High Commission

The High Commission's website has no repatriation page. Contact its consular section before making plans:

- phone: 020 7839 1244
- email: consular@nigeriahc.org.uk
- address: 9 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BX.

Its consular page mentions a £20 administrative charge for consular services; ask whether it applies. Be wary of unofficial online checklists, which may be copied from other countries' rules.

## What affects the timing

Registration, the coroner's notice period, embalming and paperwork, and airline cargo space all take time. A Port Health waiver adds 48 to 72 hours. Many Christian families don't need to rush: funerals are often held some weeks after the death so relatives can travel and plans can be made. Agree a realistic date with family in Nigeria before booking venues.

## Faith considerations

**Christian families** often hold a service of songs, wake keeping or a thanksgiving in the UK, then a funeral and burial in the hometown. Traditions vary between Yoruba, Igbo and other communities.

**Muslim families** follow the Islamic preference for washing, shrouding and burial as soon as possible:

- tell the hospital, medical examiner's office and coroner's office straight away that it's an urgent faith burial
- raise **embalming** early: it's a standard Nigerian requirement, and if the family objects, ask whether a Port Health waiver may be possible
- many Muslim families choose a **UK burial** to avoid delay.

## Costs

Costs depend on the airline, route and the funeral director. They typically include collection and care, embalming, a sealed coffin, air freight, any waiver or consular charges, relatives' flights and the funeral in Nigeria, which can itself be a large event. 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 be used for a funeral in Nigeria. 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, church or community support and life insurance often help.

## Alternatives

- **Burial or cremation in the UK**, with a memorial service or celebration in Nigeria later.
- **Cremation and taking the ashes**, where the family's faith and custom allow. Check airline rules and ask about any Nigerian requirements for ashes.

## Where to get help

- Our [repatriation guide](/uk/guides/repatriation/) and [Nigerian funerals in the UK](/uk/guides/nigerian-funerals-in-the-uk/).
- Search [funeral directors near you](/uk/funeral-directors-near-me/), or [Muslim funeral directors](/uk/muslim-funeral-directors/).
- Faith guides: [Christian](/faiths/christian/), [Pentecostal and evangelical](/faiths/pentecostal-evangelical/) and [Muslim](/faiths/muslim/) funerals.
- See also [repatriation to Ghana](/uk/guides/repatriation-to-ghana/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Does the Nigeria High Commission issue a document for repatriation?

The High Commission's website does not publish a repatriation procedure. Contact its consular section on 020 7839 1244 or consular@nigeriahc.org.uk to ask what it needs, and use a funeral director experienced in repatriation to Nigeria.

### What is a waiver to fly a corpse?

Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health says the standard requirements are an embalming certificate, verification of a sealed coffin and an international death certificate. If these can't be met, a waiver from its Port Health Services is needed, which it says typically takes 48 to 72 hours.

### Is there a High Commission fee?

The High Commission's consular page mentions a £20 administrative charge for consular services. It isn't clear whether this applies to repatriation, so ask when you contact them.

### Can a Muslim family repatriate without embalming?

An embalming certificate is one of Nigeria's standard requirements. If the family does not want embalming for religious reasons, ask your funeral director whether a Port Health waiver may be possible, and allow for the time it takes. Many Muslim families choose a quick UK burial instead.

### Why do some Nigerian families wait weeks before the funeral?

Often so relatives can travel, costs can be shared and a hometown funeral can be planned. Our [Nigerian funerals in the UK](/uk/guides/nigerian-funerals-in-the-uk/) guide explains more.

## 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/)
- [Nigeria High Commission London – Consular](https://www.nigeriahc.org.uk/consular/)
- [Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria – FAQs (Waiver to Fly a Corpse)](https://health.gov.ng/faqs/)
- [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)