Funeral Industry News

Repatriation – Handy Guide for Funeral Directors

July 22, 2026 by funeral-industry-news No Comments | Category Uncategorized

Repatriation To Scotland From Abroad

The Death Certification Review Service (DCRS) have created a handy guide for funeral directors about the procedure for repatriation from abroad.  Any questions about the guide should be emailed to DCRS at his.dcrs@nhs.scot or telephone 0300 123 1898.

The guide can be downloaded here, Deaths Abroad – Handy Guide for Funeral Directors v1.00

Repatriation To Scotland From Abroad (stillbirth)

DCRS carry out random reviews of medical certificates of cause of death (MCCD) where the death occurred in Scotland. Reviews of certificates of stillbirths which occur in Scotland are not reviewed by DCRS. Stillbirths are reviewed using the UK Perinatal Mortality Review Tool which is designed to understand the complex events leading up to stillbirths.  Where a woman experiences a stillbirth while abroad, the repatriation procedure via DCRS for death abroad does not apply. The stillbirth will be recorded according to the procedures in the country where it occurred. That paperwork should be submitted to the burial or cremation authority along with the statutory application form.

Repatriation To Scotland From within the UK

The sections of the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 relating to repatriation to Scotland following death in another UK nation are brought into force from 22 July 2026 by The Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Act 2026 (Commencement No. 1 and Saving Provision) Regulations 2026.  The Regulations confirm the procedure for repatriation where death occurs in another UK nation. Scotland will continue to recognise the papers issued in other UK nations without any requirement to repatriate in the same was as for deaths abroad.

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