When someone dies away from home, you need to get them back.
This happens more than you’d think. A holiday abroad ends in tragedy. Someone passes away whilst living overseas. A relative dies in hospital three counties away.
At Welham Jones, we’ve spent over 25 years moving people home to Tunbridge Wells and West Kent. We handle local transfers, UK-wide transportation, and international repatriation.
Transportation of deceased means moving someone who has died from one place to another.
Local transportation moves them from a hospital or home to our funeral home in Tunbridge Wells. Long-distance moves them between counties. International repatriation brings them home from abroad.
Each needs different paperwork and vehicles. Distance, borders, and timing affect how we do it.
You can’t arrange this like booking a courier. It’s illegal without proper licences.
Funeral directors hold the training and licences to transport deceased people legally [1]. We know which documents you need, which routes work, and how to maintain dignity.
Temperature control matters. Documentation matters more. Miss one form, and you’ll face border refusals, storage fees, and legal problems. Fixing mistakes costs more than hiring us from the start.
We collect from anywhere within 10 miles of our Tunbridge Wells branch during office hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm). This covers Tunbridge Wells, Southborough, Pembury, Lamberhurst, Goudhurst, Hawkhurst, Wadhurst, Heathfield, Crowborough, Groombridge, and Ashurst.
Out-of-hours collection costs £200* extra. We’re available 24/7 because death doesn’t follow schedules.
On funeral day, our hearse and team handle the journey to churches, crematoriums, or cemeteries across West Kent.
Sometimes you need someone moved further. They died visiting relatives in Scotland. They’re going back to Wales for burial.
We arrange UK-wide transportation, working with other funeral directors when needed. Costs vary by distance. Our vehicles maintain proper conditions throughout long journeys.
To transport someone before the funeral, lying in church overnight, for example, costs £410* weekdays or £540* weekends.
Bringing someone home from abroad needs specialist knowledge. We’ve repatriated from every continent. Discover compassionate repatriation options designed for your family’s needs.
Our £1,800* repatriation charge covers all paperwork, embassy coordination, preparation including embalming, and liaison with overseas funeral directors.
Airport transportation adds £375*. Most repatriations need a zinc-lined coffin (£300*) and flight tray (£180*). Embassy attendance costs around £270* when required. Document translation varies by country.
Flight costs are the biggest variable. European destinations run £800-1,500. Long-haul to Australia, Asia, or the Americas costs £2,000-5,000 or more.
Total international repatriation typically costs £4,000-8,000.
Inward repatriations, bringing someone home to Tunbridge Wells, work similarly. We collect from Heathrow or Gatwick and bring them to our chapel of rest.
We also ship cremated remains. Less paperwork, lower costs, faster timescales.
Welham Jones offers compassionate direct cremation arrangements that prioritise your wishes.
When you contact us, we need basic information. Where did death occur? Do you have a death certificate? Where do you want them brought to?
International death certificates need translating if not in English [3]. The UK needs specific wording before allowing entry. Destination countries have their own rules.
We handle all embassy, consulate, and overseas funeral director communication. Language barriers disappear with experienced repatriation specialists.
International transportation almost always requires embalming (£175* when separate). This prevents decomposition during transit.
Zinc lining provides extra protection for long journeys. Some countries require it; others recommend it. Airlines need sealed coffins that won’t leak.
Documentation typically includes death certificate, embalming certificate, coffin declaration, freedom-from-infection certificate, and permission to export or import remains. Each needs official stamps from specific authorities.
Paperwork mistakes cause days or weeks of delays. Families face daily storage charges whilst corrections happen.
International flights for human remains travel as cargo. Airlines have dedicated procedures. Coffins are secured in flight trays.
We coordinate collection times, flights, and arrival arrangements. For inward repatriations, we meet the flight, clear customs, and transport to Tunbridge Wells.
European repatriations take 5-7 days. Intercontinental journeys take 10-14 days. Embassy processing and flight availability affect timing.
British citizens die overseas regularly. Spain, France, and Turkey see high numbers due to tourism [3].
Contact the British Embassy immediately. They’ll guide you through local requirements. We then coordinate with overseas funeral directors to bring your loved one home.
Travel insurance sometimes covers repatriation, but check policies carefully.
Kent and Sussex hospitals transfer deceased patients to funeral directors daily. Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury, Maidstone Hospital, and smaller facilities all have mortuary procedures [5].
We collect directly from hospital mortuaries once you’ve chosen us. You don’t need to attend collection.
Care homes follow similar processes. You’re never obligated to use their suggested funeral director.
Sometimes families switch funeral directors mid-arrangement. We collect from the current provider and take over all arrangements. No judgment involved.
Transfers within West Kent take a few hours to arrange.
You will experience respectful, personal service through our traditional funerals in Tunbridge Wells.
Standard collection within 10 miles during office hours is included in all packages. The hearse on funeral day is included in attended services. One limousine comes with our Classic package. Additional limousines cost £320* each for three hours.
Mileage outside our local area costs £1.50* per mile.
Long-distance UK transportation varies by distance. Expect £300+ for journeys beyond 50 miles.
Pre-funeral transportation, moving someone to church overnight, costs £410* weekdays or £540* weekends.
Our service charge: £1,800*. Airport transportation: £375*. Coffins: £510-2,585. Zinc lining: £300*. Flight trays: £180*. Embassy attendance: £270*.
Flight costs are the wild card. European destinations: £800-1,500. Long-haul: £2,000-5,000+.
Total typically: £4,000-8,000, sometimes higher for distant destinations.
UK collection when required: £95*.
International cremated remains transportation: under £1,000 including service charge, courier, and certificates.
Funeral directors must be registered to transport the deceased. We’re SAIF members.
Vehicles must be purpose-built or modified. Private cars aren’t legal for this.
The Registrar issues certificates before funerals proceed. These travel with the deceased. We obtain and carry them [6].
Infectious diseases require extra precautions. We follow Public Health England guidelines.
Every country has different rules. Some are straightforward; others are byzantine.
The Foreign Office provides guidance for British citizens who die abroad [7]. We’ve handled simple European repatriations and challenging cases from Africa, Asia, and South America.
Muslim countries often require burial within 24 hours, making repatriation difficult. Some nations prohibit embalming.
EU countries have reciprocal arrangements. Post-Brexit added some steps but processes remain manageable.
Contact local authorities or emergency services if you haven’t already. In hospitals and care homes, staff handle this. For deaths at home or public, call 999.
If abroad, contact the British Embassy immediately. They’ll guide you through local procedures.
Don’t feel pressured to decide immediately about repatriation. Most countries allow time to think.
Check travel insurance if applicable. Many cover repatriation but notify insurers quickly.
Call 01892 300330 any time, 24/7.
We need: where death occurred, whether you have a death certificate, where you want them brought, and any religious requirements.
We liaise directly with overseas funeral directors, hospitals, or mortuaries. You don’t need perfect information.
If you’re overseas, we coordinate remotely. Many families stay at their destination until their loved one is ready to travel.
Death certificates are required regardless of location. Overseas certificates need translating if not in English.
If death occurred under medical care, doctors complete certificates. For sudden deaths, coroners investigate before releasing the body. This delays repatriation by days or weeks.
Passports for the deceased help with identification. Marriage and birth certificates prove useful for complex family situations.
Keep copies of everything. Scan and email documents to yourself.
Some families want direct transportation to burial or cremation, particularly for religious funerals where timing matters.
This is more complex than coming to us first. The venue must be ready, attendees notified, and there’s no buffer if flights delay.
Most families bring their loved one to us first, allow viewing time, then proceed with a confirmed funeral date.
Seeing your loved one after repatriation helps with closure. International journeys and embalming change appearance somewhat. We’ll prepare you honestly.
Our chapel of rest provides private viewing. We can dress them in their own clothes (£90* when not included).
Some families don’t wish to view. That’s acceptable. There’s no right choice.
We offer caring green funeral arrangements that reflect your values.
Families scattered geographically sometimes hold multiple services. Cremation in Tunbridge Wells followed by a memorial service elsewhere. Burial in an ancestral homeland after a local funeral.
We coordinate these, working with funeral directors in other locations. Cremated remains are easier to transport than bodies.
Additional time for second services costs £450*.
Islamic tradition requires burial within 24 hours. This makes international repatriation challenging when death occurs abroad.
We work quickly where possible. Muslim burials in the UK can proceed quickly once paperwork completes.
Embalming is generally avoided in Muslim funerals, but international transportation often legally requires it. We discuss these conflicts with religious leaders.
Hindu and Sikh traditions prefer cremation within three days. Repatriation to India is common, though many families now choose UK cremation.
We’ve arranged numerous repatriations to India. The process takes 7-14 days, longer than traditional timescales but unavoidable.
Some families hold a UK funeral before repatriating ashes to India for scattering in holy rivers.
Jewish tradition calls for quick burial, usually within 24 hours except where Sabbath intervenes.
Embalming is generally prohibited in Jewish law, creating complications for international repatriation. Refrigeration provides an alternative, but not all countries accept non-embalmed remains.
We work with the Jewish community to accommodate religious requirements whilst meeting legal obligations.
Christian traditions vary by denomination but generally allow timing flexibility. Most Christian families face fewer restrictions than other faiths.
Catholics might want their loved one home for a vigil before the funeral. We arrange this, transporting to the family home or church the evening before.
Moving someone of larger size requires specialist equipment and additional staff. Our vehicles accommodate larger coffins.
No judgment, just practical logistics. Airlines need advance notice for larger coffins during international repatriation.
Costs increase due to specialist equipment and extra staff.
Losing a child is devastating. Transporting an infant or child requires special care.
Smaller coffins cost less than adult sizes. We have white coffins popular for children’s funerals.
Coroners sometimes require post-mortems when death is sudden or unexplained. This delays release and transportation.
Post-mortems usually complete within 2-3 days. Complex investigations take longer. We maintain contact with coroner’s offices.
Organ donation delays funeral arrangements slightly, but saves lives.
We collect after donation procedures complete. The process treats the body with respect. We can still provide normal viewing afterwards in most cases.
Organ donation doesn’t prevent repatriation, though it affects timescales.
Royal Tunbridge Wells sits in western Kent, near the Sussex border. The A21 connects to London (40 miles north) and Hastings (30 miles south). The M25 is 20 minutes away, providing routes to Gatwick (30 miles) and Heathrow (50 miles) [9].
This positioning makes Tunbridge Wells ideal for coordinating repatriations through London airports.
Train services reach London Bridge in under an hour [10].
Location: Tunbridge Wells Railway Station, Mount Pleasant Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN1 1QY [Map]
Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury serves the area [11]. We collect regularly from their mortuary.
Location: Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Tonbridge Road, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells TN2 4QJ [Map]
Kent and Sussex Crematorium in Tunbridge Wells serves many local families [12]. Transport from our Tunbridge Wells office takes approximately 10 minutes.
Location: Kent and Sussex Crematorium, Benhall Mill Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN2 5JA [Map]
Tunbridge Wells Cemetery and Woodbury Park Cemetery provide burial options [13]. Surrounding villages have churchyards.
We transport to cemeteries across West Kent and East Sussex, and our transportation services ensure your loved one is moved with dignity and care.
We’ve served West Kent and South East London since 1992. We know local hospitals, crematoriums, cemeteries, and churches.
Local knowledge means we understand routes, timing, and logistics. We know which churches have awkward hearse access, which crematoriums run tight schedules, and how to navigate Tunbridge Wells traffic.
We’ve built international relationships over decades. Our network of overseas funeral directors, embassy contacts, and airline cargo staff makes repatriation smoother.
Meet the experienced funeral professionals in Tunbridge Wells who support families with care and respect.
We’re independent and family-owned. This gives us flexibility larger corporate funeral directors lack.
Our team holds professional qualifications. We’re SAIF members [14] and offers thoughtful funeral arrangement services to support your family at every stage.
Our price list is comprehensive and clear. We itemise costs so you know what you’re paying for.
We provide written estimates before proceeding with repatriation. Final invoices sometimes vary slightly if flights cost more or less than estimated, but we explain differences.
Death doesn’t respect office hours. Call any time on 01892 300330 and speak with an experienced team member.
Out-of-hours collections incur surcharges, but we’re always here.
We remember that behind every transportation arrangement is a grieving family. We explain processes, answer questions, and provide support beyond logistics. Let us help you craft a personalised celebration of life reflecting your loved one’s spirit.
Call 01892 300330 any time, day or night.
Email tunbridgewells@welhamjones.co.uk for written communication or to send documents.
Visit us at 39 Crescent Rd, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2LZ. Call first to arrange an appointment.
We’ll ask where death occurred, where you want them brought, and any time pressures.
We’ll explain options clearly, including timescales and costs. No pressure to proceed immediately.
If you choose us, we begin coordinating transportation straight away. We keep you updated throughout.
Transportation is one part of funeral arrangements. Once your loved one arrives, we’ll discuss funeral service options, burial or cremation preferences, and all the details that create a meaningful farewell.
We arrange flowers, order of service printing, catering, and extras. Or keep things simple if preferred.
*NOTE: Prices as of October 2025
[1] “What to do after someone dies,” UK Government, https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/arrange-the-funeral
[2] “FCO Fees and Charges 2024,” Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-and-commonwealth-office-fees-and-charges/foreign-and-commonwealth-office-fees-and-charges-2024
[3] “Register a death,” UK Government, https://www.gov.uk/register-a-death
[4] “User guide to mortality statistics,” Office for National Statistics, https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/methodologies/userguidetomortalitystatisticsjuly2017
[5] “Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust,” NHS, https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/
[6] “Funeral Directors Regulation,” National Association of Funeral Directors, https://www.nafd.org.uk/standards/the-funeral-director-code/
[7] “The Funeral Director Code,” Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/death-abroad-guidance
[9] “Getting to Tunbridge Wells,” Visit Tunbridge Wells, https://www.visittunbridgewells.com/getting-here
[10] “Tunbridge Wells Station,” Southeastern Railway, https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/
[11] “Tunbridge Wells Hospital,” Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/
[12] “Kent and Sussex Crematorium,” Kent and Sussex Crematorium, https://www.kentandsussexcrematorium.co.uk/
[13] “Cemeteries,” Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, https://tunbridgewells.gov.uk/environment/cemeteries
[14] “Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors,” SAIF, https://saif.org.uk/
What is transportation of deceased?
Transportation of deceased means moving someone who has died from one location to another. This includes local transfers within Tunbridge Wells, long-distance UK transportation, or international repatriation. Professional funeral directors handle the deceased with dignity whilst managing legal requirements, documentation, and logistics.
How much does it cost to transport a body from abroad to the UK?
International repatriation typically costs £4,000-8,000, sometimes more for distant destinations. This includes our £1,800* service charge, £375* airport transportation, coffin costs (£510-2,585), zinc lining (£300*), flight tray (£180*), and airline cargo fees which vary by destination. European repatriations cost less than long-haul flights to Australia, Asia, or the Americas.
How long does international repatriation take?
European repatriations usually complete within 5-7 days. Intercontinental repatriations take 10-14 days on average. Timescales depend on local bureaucracy, embassy processing, flight availability, and whether investigations or post-mortems are required. We’ve handled emergency cases in 48 hours and complex situations that took a month.
Can you transport cremated remains internationally?
Yes, transporting cremated remains internationally is simpler and more affordable than full-body repatriation. Documentation requirements are reduced, though certificates are still needed. Costs typically stay under £1,000 including our service charge, courier fees, and paperwork.
Do you need a special vehicle to transport the deceased?
Yes, UK law requires funeral directors to use purpose-built or appropriately modified vehicles for transporting deceased individuals. Private cars aren’t legal except in very limited circumstances. Our motor hearses and transport vehicles are specifically designed for this purpose.
What documents are needed for repatriation?
Required documents vary by country but typically include death certificate (translated if necessary), embalming certificate, coffin declaration, freedom-from-infection certificate, and permission to export or import human remains. Each needs official stamps from specific authorities. We handle all documentation preparation and submission.
Can you transport someone the same day they die?
Same-day transportation within the UK is possible, though documentation requirements mean funerals can’t proceed immediately. For international repatriation, same-day transportation is impossible due to embalming requirements, documentation processing, and flight arrangements.
What if death occurred on a cruise?
Cruise ship deaths require special handling. Ships usually have morgue facilities and will disembark the deceased at the next suitable port. We coordinate with cruise lines, port authorities, and funeral directors at the disembarkation point to arrange onward transportation home.
Do Muslim burials require different transportation?
Islamic tradition requires burial within 24 hours, which creates challenges for international repatriation. We work quickly to meet religious timescales where possible. Embalming is generally avoided in Muslim funerals, but international transportation often legally requires it. We consult with religious leaders to find solutions.
How do you maintain dignity during transportation?
Your loved one travels in a sealed coffin inside a protective flight tray for air travel. They’re handled by trained professionals at every stage. We personally oversee handover to airlines and collection at airports. During ground transportation, our purpose-built funeral vehicles keep them secure and maintain respect throughout.
Address:
39 Crescent Rd
Royal Tunbridge Wells
TN1 2LZ
How to find us: Map
Phone: 01892 300330
Email: tunbridgewells@welhamjones.co.uk
Business Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday and Sunday: appointment only
For community deaths outside those hours, we also provide a 24/7 response, 365 days of the year.
