Repatriate Body from Spain: Cost, Process & Timeline 2025

Introduction

When a loved one passes away in Spain, one of the most difficult decisions you'll face is whether to arrange repatriation to their home country or proceed with burial or cremation in Spain. International body repatriation is a complex, expensive process involving multiple authorities, specialized companies, and extensive documentation.

Repatriating a body from Spain typically costs between €3,000 and €10,000 or more, depending on the destination country and specific circumstances. The process requires coordination between Spanish authorities, funeral homes, airlines, and receiving country officials, usually taking 5-14 days to complete.

Before making any decisions, your first step should be checking whether the deceased had insurance coverage that includes repatriation. Many travel insurance policies, credit card benefits, and life insurance policies include repatriation coverage, which can save your family thousands of euros during an already difficult time.

This guide provides a complete overview of the repatriation process, costs, required documentation, and alternatives to help you make an informed decision.

When to Consider Repatriation

Repatriation makes sense in several specific situations, though it's not always the right choice for every family. Consider repatriation if:

The Deceased Was a Visitor or Short-Term Resident If your loved one was vacationing in Spain, on a short-term work assignment, or studying abroad temporarily, repatriation allows them to be laid to rest near family and friends in their home country.

A Family Burial Plot Exists Many families maintain generational burial plots or crypts in their home country. Repatriation ensures the deceased can be interred alongside other family members, honoring family traditions and providing a centralized location for future generations to visit.

Cultural or Religious Requirements Certain cultures and religions have specific requirements about where and how a person should be buried. Some faith traditions strongly prefer burial in consecrated ground in the home country or have specific funeral rites that are difficult to arrange in Spain.

Insurance Coverage Is Available If the deceased had comprehensive travel insurance, premium credit card coverage, or a life insurance policy with repatriation benefits, the financial burden is significantly reduced. In these cases, repatriation becomes much more feasible.

However, repatriation may not be practical if the deceased was a long-term Spanish resident, costs are prohibitive without insurance coverage, or the family prefers the simpler, faster, and more affordable option of cremation in Spain followed by transporting ashes.

Complete Repatriation Process: Step-by-Step

The repatriation process involves six major steps, each requiring careful coordination and documentation:

Step 1: Check Insurance Coverage Immediately

Before making any commitments or payments, verify whether any insurance coverage exists:

• Travel Insurance: Check if the deceased had a travel insurance policy. Most comprehensive policies include repatriation coverage up to €10,000-50,000.
• Credit Card Benefits: Premium credit cards (especially those used to purchase flights) often include travel accident insurance with repatriation coverage.
• Life Insurance: Some life insurance policies include international repatriation as an additional benefit or rider.
• Employer Coverage: If the deceased was traveling for work, their employer may have coverage through corporate insurance.

Contact these insurers immediately. They often have dedicated assistance lines and can arrange repatriation directly with their approved providers, streamlining the entire process.

Step 2: Choose a Repatriation Company

You'll need to work with a specialized repatriation company or international funeral director who handles cross-border body transportation. These companies coordinate all logistics, including:

• Body preparation and embalming
• Coffin construction meeting international air transport standards
• Documentation procurement
• Transportation booking
• Coordination with receiving funeral home

If you have insurance coverage, your insurer will typically have preferred repatriation providers. If you're paying privately, research companies with strong reviews and transparent pricing. Expect to pay a deposit of 50% upfront.

Step 3: Gather Required Documentation

Repatriation requires extensive documentation, which your repatriation company will help coordinate:

• Spanish Death Certificate (Certificado de Defunción): The official death certificate issued by the Civil Registry.
• Apostilled Death Certificate: The death certificate must be apostilled (internationally certified) at the Spanish Ministry of Justice to be recognized abroad.
• Valid Passport: The deceased's passport proving identity and nationality.
• Embalming Certificate: Official documentation that the body has been properly embalmed by a licensed professional, required for international air transport.
• Consular Mortuary Certificate: Issued by the deceased's embassy or consulate in Spain, authorizing repatriation.
• Transport Permit: Spanish authorities must authorize the body's departure from the country.
• Destination Import Permit: The receiving country must authorize the body's entry, which may require specific health certifications.

Step 4: Body Preparation

International transport regulations require specific body preparation:

Embalming: Required for body repatriation (not needed for cremated remains). The body must be embalmed by a licensed professional within 24-48 hours of death. Cost: €500-1,200.

Hermetically Sealed Coffin: The body must be placed in a zinc-lined or hermetically sealed coffin that meets International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards. This prevents fluid leakage and contains any odors during transport. Cost: €800-2,500.

Outer Shipping Container: The sealed coffin is placed in an outer wooden shipping crate with proper labeling and documentation pouches.

Step 5: Transportation Arrangements

Once documentation and body preparation are complete, the repatriation company coordinates transportation:

Air Transport: Most repatriation involves air freight on commercial passenger flights. The coffin travels in the cargo hold, not the passenger cabin. The repatriation company books space, handles airline paperwork, and ensures the shipment meets all regulations.

Ground Transportation: Coordination is required on both ends—from the place of death to the Spanish airport, and from the destination airport to the receiving funeral home.

Customs Clearance: Both Spanish and destination country customs must clear the shipment, which the repatriation company manages.

Step 6: Receiving at Destination

At the destination country:

Airport Collection: The receiving funeral home collects the body from the airport cargo facility after customs clearance.

Transfer to Funeral Home: The body is transported to the funeral home where final arrangements (viewing, funeral service, burial) will take place.

Final Documentation: Any additional paperwork required by local authorities must be completed before burial can proceed.

The entire process typically takes 5-14 days, though it can be expedited in urgent situations for additional cost.

Required Documentation Checklist

To ensure smooth repatriation, you'll need:

1. Death Certificate: Original Spanish death certificate from Civil Registry
2. Apostilled Death Certificate: International certification from Ministry of Justice
3. Passport: Valid passport of deceased (original)
4. Embalming Certificate: Proof of professional embalming
5. Consular Mortuary Certificate: From embassy/consulate authorizing repatriation
6. Transport Permits: Spanish export permission
7. Import Authorization: Destination country's permission to receive remains
8. Medical Certificate: Sometimes required, stating cause of death
9. No Contagious Disease Certificate: Health certification
10. Insurance Documentation: If applicable, claim forms and policy details

Your repatriation company should provide a complete checklist and assist with obtaining all necessary documents.

Cost Breakdown by Destination

Repatriation costs vary significantly based on distance, with these typical ranges for 2025:

To United Kingdom/Ireland: €3,500-6,000

• Embalming and body preparation: €500-1,200
• Hermetically sealed coffin: €800-2,000
• Documentation and permits: €300-600
• Air freight to UK/Ireland: €1,200-2,000
• Repatriation company fees: €700-1,200

To United States/Canada: €6,000-10,000

• Embalming and body preparation: €500-1,200
• Hermetically sealed coffin: €800-2,500
• Documentation and permits: €400-800
• Air freight to North America: €3,000-5,000
• Repatriation company fees: €1,300-2,500

To Asia/Australia: €8,000-15,000

• Embalming and body preparation: €500-1,200
• Hermetically sealed coffin: €800-2,500
• Documentation and permits: €500-1,000
• Air freight to Asia/Australia: €5,000-9,000
• Repatriation company fees: €1,200-3,300

Additional costs may include ground transportation at both ends (€200-500 each), expedited processing (€500-1,500), and receiving funeral home fees in the destination country.

Alternative: Cremation and Ash Repatriation

For most families, cremating in Spain and transporting ashes offers a significantly simpler and more affordable alternative:

Total Cost: €900-2,300 This includes cremation (€800-1,500), urn (€50-300), death certificate and documentation (€50-200), and ash transportation (€0-300 if traveling personally).

Simpler Process: Cremation eliminates the need for embalming, specialized coffins, and complex transportation arrangements. The documentation requirements are minimal compared to body repatriation.

Faster Timeline: Cremation can typically be completed within 48-72 hours in Spain, and ashes can be transported immediately afterward.

Personal Transportation: Family members can carry ashes on regular passenger flights in their carry-on luggage. You'll need the death certificate, cremation certificate, and a properly sealed urn. No special cargo arrangements are required.

Flexibility: Ashes can be interred in a family plot, scattered in a meaningful location (where legally permitted), or kept by family members. This provides more options than traditional burial.

Environmental Considerations: Cremation followed by ash transport has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than international body repatriation.

For these reasons, approximately 70-80% of expat families in Spain choose cremation with ash repatriation over full body repatriation.

Insurance Coverage Guide

Understanding insurance coverage can save thousands of euros:

Travel Insurance

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include repatriation coverage:

• Typical coverage limits: €10,000-50,000
• Usually covers full repatriation costs within limits
• May include family travel to Spain to make arrangements
• Requires claim filing with supporting documentation
• Best if purchased before travel; check policy details

Credit Card Benefits

Premium credit cards often include travel accident insurance:

• Platinum/high-tier cards: Often €5,000-25,000 coverage
• May require flight was booked using the card
• Coverage varies significantly by card issuer
• Check "trip insurance" or "travel protection" sections
• File claims through card issuer's insurance provider

Life Insurance Riders

Some life insurance policies include repatriation:

• Usually an optional rider or benefit
• May cover full repatriation costs
• Requires death occurred outside home country
• Check policy documents or contact insurer
• Claim process separate from main life insurance benefit

Embassy Assistance

The deceased's embassy can provide limited assistance:

• Guidance on repatriation process
• Lists of approved funeral homes and repatriation companies
• Help contacting family members
• Verification of documentation

However, embassies do not provide financial assistance for repatriation. This is a common misconception—the embassy can guide but cannot pay for repatriation services.

Finding Repatriation Specialists in Spain

How to Choose a Repatriation Company

Verify Credentials: Ensure the company is licensed for international repatriation and has proper IATA cargo certification.

Check Experience: Ask how many repatriations they've completed to your destination country. Experience with specific countries matters due to varying regulations.

Request Detailed Quote: A professional company will provide an itemized quote showing all costs separately, not just a single lump sum.

Review Timeline: Ask for a realistic timeline. Be wary of companies promising unusually fast service without additional expedite fees.

Questions to Ask Potential Providers

1. How many years have you been handling international repatriation?
2. How many repatriations to [destination country] have you completed?
3. What exactly is included in your quoted price?
4. What additional costs might arise?
5. What is the realistic timeline for completion?
6. Will you coordinate directly with my insurance company?
7. Do you provide 24/7 support during the process?
8. Can you provide references from recent clients?
9. What happens if there are delays or problems?

Regional Repatriation Providers

Major Cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia): These cities have multiple international repatriation specialists with extensive experience. Expect more competitive pricing and faster service.

Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca: Expat-heavy areas with specialized funeral homes experienced in repatriation to UK, Ireland, and Northern Europe.

Smaller Cities: Fewer specialized providers; you may need to work with a company in a major city that sends representatives to your location.

Your loved one's embassy can provide a list of approved repatriation companies operating in your region of Spain.

Making the Right Decision

Repatriation is a deeply personal decision with no single right answer. Consider:

Choose Repatriation If:

• Insurance covers most or all costs
• Strong cultural/religious reasons exist
• Family burial plot awaits
• Family primarily lives in home country

Choose Local Cremation If:

• Costs are prohibitive
• Faster resolution is important
• Environmental concerns matter
• Flexibility in final disposition is valuable

During this difficult time, take the time you need to make the decision that honors your loved one and provides peace for your family.

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Related Resources:

• What to Do When Someone Dies in Spain: Complete Guide
• English-Speaking Funeral Homes in Spain
• Spanish Inheritance Tax Rates by Region
• Browse verified funeral homes and repatriation specialists in Spain