Sending human remains from the UK to Japan typically takes between seven and ten working days, with standard repatriation packages starting from around £1,750 plus the cost of the flight. The process involves embalming, a hermetically sealed coffin, coordination with the Japanese consulate in London, and customs clearance on arrival in Japan. This guide walks through exactly how the process works from the moment a death is registered in the UK through to handover to a receiving funeral director in Japan, along with the documents required, what Japanese customs expects, and what typically happens once the deceased arrives.
How Long Does It Take and What Does It Cost
Most straightforward cases are completed within seven to ten working days, assuming there is no coroner investigation and all documentation is provided without delay. Standard repatriation packages from the UK to Japan generally start from around £1,750, plus the flight cost, which typically begins from about £750 depending on the departure and arrival cities. This standard price includes the coffin, all required documentation, and transport arrangements. Families who want additional options, such as choosing a specific coffin or holding a UK funeral service before the flight, can usually arrange a bespoke package, priced according to their exact requirements.
Step by Step: How Repatriation from the UK to Japan Works
Once a specialist repatriation provider is instructed, the process generally follows a consistent sequence of steps.
- Register the death in the UK and arrange collection of the deceased into professional care.
- Carry out full embalming, which most international transport routes and Japanese entry expectations require.
- Supply a hermetically sealed repatriation coffin that meets international transport standards.
- Complete the necessary legal documents and liaise with the Japanese consulate or embassy in London.
- Arrange a confirmed flight to Japan with an airline that accepts human remains as cargo.
- Convey the coffin to the UK airport of departure ahead of the scheduled flight.
- Airfreight the coffin to Japan as accompanied or unaccompanied cargo, depending on family preference.
- Complete customs clearance at the Japanese airport, using the documentation prepared in advance.
- Hand over the coffin to a receiving funeral director in Japan for onward arrangements.
- Proceed with cremation or burial in Japan according to the family’s wishes and local custom.
Documents You Will Need
Japan does not have a specific national law governing the import of human remains, but shipping companies, airlines, and Japanese customs still expect a defined set of documents before a coffin will be accepted and cleared.
- A certified death certificate issued by the UK registrar, along with several extra certified copies.
- A mortician’s embalming certificate confirming the body has been prepared to international standards.
- A consular report of death or equivalent confirmation from the relevant authority in the UK.
- A completed customs declaration, which Japanese customs requires for all incoming remains.
- The deceased’s passport or another accepted form of identification for verification purposes.
Japan’s Specific Requirements Families Should Know
Unlike many countries, Japan has no specific law directly regulating the import of human remains from abroad, since the country’s main legislation on this subject, Law No. 48 of 1948, focuses on the handling, cremation, and burial of remains within Japan rather than their entry from overseas. In practice, this means the requirements families encounter mostly come from the shipping and customs side rather than a dedicated import law, which is why working with an experienced provider who understands what Japanese customs and airlines actually expect at the point of arrival matters so much.
- Airlines and shipping companies require a metal or zinc lined casket even though this is not set out in Japanese law directly.
- Cremation is by far the most common outcome in Japan, with burial extremely rare due to limited cemetery space.
- Local custom in Japan usually calls for cremation within a few days of the remains being received, following Shinto and Buddhist tradition.
- A local permission for cremation is issued by the relevant city, ward, or town office once the report of death is presented.
Choosing Between a Standard and Bespoke Repatriation Package
A standard package covers the coffin, documentation, and transport at a fixed starting price, which suits most families who want the process handled efficiently without additional customisation. A bespoke package allows the family to choose a specific coffin, arrange a funeral or viewing in the UK before the flight, and tailor other elements of the service to their wishes, with pricing confirmed individually based on what is included. Deciding between the two early on helps avoid delays later, since a UK service before departure needs to be scheduled around the embalming and documentation timeline.
What Happens on Arrival in Japan
Once the coffin clears customs at the Japanese airport, a receiving funeral director takes over responsibility for the deceased and coordinates the remaining local formalities. Because cremation is so strongly established as the norm in Japan, most families should expect this to be the likely outcome unless burial has been specifically arranged in advance, which is uncommon given how limited burial space is across the country. The receiving funeral director manages the local permission for cremation and any remaining ceremony according to the family’s wishes and relevant faith traditions.
Arranging a UK to Japan Repatriation With Specialist Support
Because Japan’s requirements sit outside a single clear import law, working with a provider experienced in this specific route reduces the risk of delay at the Japanese end. Harmony International has arranged repatriations from the UK to Japan since 2013, managing embassy liaison, embalming, coffin preparation, and coordination with receiving funeral directors in cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, and Kyoto.
If you are arranging a repatriation from the UK to Japan now, contact Harmony International for twenty four hour support, or request a free quote to get an accurate cost and timeline for your family’s situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paperwork is required for repatriation to Japan?
Families typically need a certified UK death certificate, an embalming certificate, a consular report of death, a customs declaration, and the deceased’s passport.
Are there specific coffin requirements for Japan?
Yes, a hermetically sealed, metal or zinc lined coffin is required, expected by airlines and shipping companies even though it is not set out in Japanese law directly.
Can a funeral or viewing be arranged in the UK before transportation to Japan?
Yes, this is available as part of a bespoke repatriation package, allowing the family to hold a UK service before the coffin is flown to Japan.
Do you liaise with Japanese consular authorities during the process?
Yes, a specialist repatriation provider liaises with the Japanese consulate or embassy in London throughout the process to confirm requirements and documentation.
Is repatriation available to cities beyond Tokyo, such as Osaka or Kyoto?
Yes, repatriation can be arranged to Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Kyoto, and other cities across Japan, depending on the receiving funeral director’s location.
How much does it cost to repatriate a loved one to Japan?
Standard packages typically start from around £1,750 plus flight costs, which begin from roughly £750, while bespoke packages are priced according to the family’s specific requirements.
Will insurance cover repatriation expenses to Japan?
This depends on the policy. Families should inform their travel insurance provider of the death as early as possible, and a specialist such as Harmony International can help confirm what a specific policy covers.
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