Bringing back body of deceased without using a firm

NotArobot24

Silvertabby said:

My sympathies

But this simply isn't something you can DIY on the cheap.  Only a bona fide undertaker will be able to supply a suitable coffin and all the paperwork needed for the cross border(s) transport.  The actual  details vary from country to country, but it is quite possible that embalming may be mandatory, regardless of the NOKs wishes.  

Would cremation and collection of the ashes really be so awful?  The family could than hold a suitable memorial service here in the UK, followed by interment of the ashes in a suitable place.   
 

I think I \already explained neither he or the family want cremation, so please do not debate that and take the thread off topic.

I will not be making the journey I am not well enough to travel far without a lot of support.

I understand the need for paperwork, there is no problem with embalming in fact they want that.

They are thinking may not even bother with a coffin, but just get a body bag and use a local funeral director in UK who does not "specialise" (charge the earth) to do a simple transport.

In EU and a Shengen visa it will be relatively easy.  When we were part of the EU I used to nip to France often for food and wine.  Eurotunnel never got involved in anything other than if you had a vehicle converted to a fuel they did not like.  Customs did take a view but I don't think there is any law against repatriating a family body.   

NotArobot24

Cairnpapple said:

I guess another option is a burial in the foreign country with a memorial service in the UK.

Nope, there is a place ready for the body, in the UK.

tooldle

elsien said:

I wasn’t saying you were trying to smuggle the body.
But the euro tunnel and freightlink guidance says that a body in a hearse must be treated as freight with the correct documentation. I would expect that a coffin in the back of the car, rather than a hearse, falls within the same guidance. 

If you turn up with it in the back of a car without the correct documentation and processes,  quite simply they are not going to let you through. 

Freight at Eurotunnel is a separate train and a whole different ball game to car/van/motorbike traffic. Adding this comment just in case the OP is not familiar with the set up.

NotArobot24

tooldle said:

One driver in a car with the coffin might be problematic. Roughly how far would the person be driving to reach Eurotunnel at Calais? In my limited experience transporting a body usually requires a minimum of two persons, sometimes three depending on weight. I had an estimate to move a relative several hundred miles, some years ago. If the distance requires more than a couple of hours of driving, how would the logistics work? Is an overnight on the road needed? Would Eurotunnel accept a booking from a private individual in these circumstances?

I don't see the issue with it being one person or two, I have established the need is for a death certificate from the country they died in and a notorised translation of that certificate.

ID of the person and travel documents showing when they left the UK also, using a body bag keeps it simple to open for Customs if they want to.

Personally I would not inform EuroTunnel or Ferry Service (not sure which will be used), yes you are right it will be quite a long drive and that might be a reason to have a second family member but I think they will likely drive over, stay the night in a hotel, collect the body towards the end of the day, then drive back in the evening and get an early crossing from France.

NotArobot24

Cairnpapple said:

Firstly, if the deceased had travel insurance, I believe the repatriation should be the responsibility of the insurer. 

If it is the family's responsibility to transport (and the family are not willing to have cremation abroad and return of ashes), the Good Funeral Guide may have helpful information as they advocate for DIY funeral arrangements.  However I think they're not quite as active/responsive as they used to be on social media etc.  Their page on legal responsibilities says that embalming is required when bringing a body into the UK but they don't give a reference for that requirement. 

https://www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/do-it-all-yourself/
https://www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/your-legal-rights-and-responsibilities/

I wonder whether it might be possible to get information from one of the more 'alternative' or bespoke UK funeral directors, such as Poppy's in London, who again seem to advocate for families doing whatever part they want to do. I'm not saying that you would use the funeral director for the transportation or even for the funeral, just that they might be willing to talk about procedure. 

Thank you so much for that site,it is really helpful and has some downloads too.

https://www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/downloads/

elsien

Well all  will I say is good luck with that.
Seems like a good way to get the body confiscated, if nothing else. 

tooldle

NotArobot24 said:

I don't see the issue with it being one person or two, I have established the need is for a death certificate from the country they died in and a notorised translation of that certificate.

ID of the person and travel documents showing when they left the UK also, using a body bag keeps it simple to open for Customs if they want to.

Personally I would not inform EuroTunnel or Ferry Service (not sure which will be used), yes you are right it will be quite a long drive and that might be a reason to have a second family member but I think they will likely drive over, stay the night in a hotel, collect the body towards the end of the day, then drive back in the evening and get an early crossing from France.

One driver is an issue if that person has to leave the vehicle at any point (refuelling, toilet break, meal break).It is also an issue if the body has to be moved for any reason (breakdown, overnight stop). Please be aware the Gendarmarie have a significant presence on approaches to Calais (from around 50miles  out)and particularly through the hours of darkness and, are fond of sitting in Aires watching and waiting. 

I use Eurotunnel reasonably frequently. From the French side you will pass through a vehicle scanner, followed by French passport control (it is normal to be asked some questions at this point), then UK passport control and next Le Douane / Customs (often a contractor). They are usually very interested in checking unusual cargo, vehicles with obscured windows, motorhomes etc. This is for the regular train (small vans, cars etc). My recommendation after years of travel to, from and within France, never mess with Customs or the Gendarmes. 

I’m not sure if the above is a typo or, if you really do intend to ‘transport/import’ human remains without notifying Eurotunnel or other provider of your cargo. 

msb1234

NotArobot24 said:

tooldle said:

One driver in a car with the coffin might be problematic. Roughly how far would the person be driving to reach Eurotunnel at Calais? In my limited experience transporting a body usually requires a minimum of two persons, sometimes three depending on weight. I had an estimate to move a relative several hundred miles, some years ago. If the distance requires more than a couple of hours of driving, how would the logistics work? Is an overnight on the road needed? Would Eurotunnel accept a booking from a private individual in these circumstances?

I don't see the issue with it being one person or two, I have established the need is for a death certificate from the country they died in and a notorised translation of that certificate.

ID of the person and travel documents showing when they left the UK also, using a body bag keeps it simple to open for Customs if they want to.

Personally I would not inform EuroTunnel or Ferry Service (not sure which will be used), yes you are right it will be quite a long drive and that might be a reason to have a second family member but I think they will likely drive over, stay the night in a hotel, collect the body towards the end of the day, then drive back in the evening and get an early crossing from France.

Are you seriously suggesting someone pops the deceased into a body bag, then into the car boot and takes their chances with customs? That’s the most ill-thought out plan I’ve ever heard! 

Spendless

Ive travelled ferry services from France to England more times than I care to remember. On every single occasion we have been asked to open our boot for a check French side. Not sure how you intend disguising a body bag? 

poppystar

There is a reason why funeral companies charge a significant amount for repatriation of bodies - that reason is dignity.