Repatriation of remains from Italy
We handle all procedures to transport the deceased to any country in the world
Shipping a body from Italy abroad
What is repatriation of remains from Italy?
Repatriation of human remains from Italy abroad is the international funeral transport of a person who has died in Italy and is to be buried in their country of origin. This is a common need for families of foreign nationals residing in Italy — Romanians, Moroccans, Senegalese, Filipinos, Peruvians, Bangladeshis and many other nationalities — who wish their loved one to rest in their homeland.
International transfer of remains from Italy requires coordination between Italian authorities (Municipality, ASL, Prefecture), diplomatic representations of the destination country in Italy, air cargo companies and local funeral homes in the receiving country. Funeralpass manages every step, relieving the client of all bureaucratic and logistical burden.
Who uses this service?
The body repatriation service from Italy is mainly requested by:
- Families of foreign nationals who died in Italy and wish burial in the country of origin
- Foreign funeral homes needing a trusted specialist partner in Italy for international transfers
- Insurance and assistance companies that must handle claims for foreign clients who died in Italy
- Companies and employers of foreign workers who died during work or residency in Italy
- Consulates and embassies assisting their nationals in the repatriation process
Differences from inbound repatriation to Italy
Compared to repatriation of remains from abroad to Italy, outbound transport from Italy has distinct characteristics: the Italian departure formalities (ASL, Municipality, Prefecture) are well-codified and generally faster, while the complexity lies on the receiving country's side, which may have very different requirements regarding documentation, body treatment and transport conditions.
Steps of repatriation from Italy: the complete procedure
1. Italian departure formalities
The process begins in Italy with the death registration at the municipality of the place of death and the application for the mortuary passport — the document authorising international transport of the body out of Italian territory. At the same time, the relevant authorities are contacted: the local health authority (ASL), the prefecture, and diplomatic representations.
2. Consular clearance from the destination country's embassy
The second essential step is obtaining the consular clearance from the embassy or consulate of the destination country in Italy. Each country has different requirements: some require certified embalming, others specific casket types, and others require translation and apostillation of all documents. Funeralpass knows the requirements of every country and prepares the correct documentation from the outset, preventing delays.
3. Preparation of the body
Under Italian Mortuary Police Regulations, the body must be adequately treated for international funeral transport. A conservative treatment carried out by certified and authorised personnel is mandatory. The casket must comply with IATA air transport standards: dimensions, materials and sealing follow precise regulations.
4. Air or road transport
Once the formalities are complete, Funeralpass arranges air freight of the casket from the most convenient Italian airport to the destination country. For European destinations reachable by road, we also evaluate road transport by hearse, which in some cases is faster and more cost-effective.
5. Coordination in the destination country
Through our international network of local partners, we also coordinate reception of the remains in the destination country: customs clearance on arrival, transport to the burial site and support for the family in the final phase.
Documents and costs for body repatriation from Italy
Documents required for repatriation of remains from Italy
To ship a body from Italy abroad, the following documents are required. Funeralpass collects and prepares all of them on your behalf:
- Mortuary passport
- Death certificate from the municipality (original and multilingual)
- Burial authorisation
- Consular clearance from the destination country's embassy / consulate in Italy
- Certificate of conservative treatment
- IATA documentation for air freight of the casket
- Identity documents of the deceased (passport, residence permit, etc.)
- Translation, legalisation and apostillation of documents
Requirements vary considerably from country to country. Funeralpass immediately verifies the destination-specific document checklist, preventing administrative blocks or delays.
How long does it take?
The average timeframe for repatriation of remains from Italy is 2–5 business days. The main variable is the speed of the destination country's embassy in issuing the consular clearance. In countries that are parties to international funeral transport conventions, timescales are significantly shorter. Funeralpass maintains established relationships with the main embassies in Italy, resulting in faster procedures.
Cost of body repatriation from Italy abroad
The cost of repatriating remains from Italy consists of several components: Italian bureaucratic formalities, possible embalming, IATA-compliant casket, air cargo transport and coordination in the destination country. Indicative prices by destination:
| Country / Destination | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Romania, Bulgaria, Albania | from € 3,500 – 3,900 |
| Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria | from € 3,200 – 4,000 |
| Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon | from € 3,800 – 4,500 |
| India, Philippines, Bangladesh | from € 3,200 – 3,900 |
| Peru, Colombia, Brazil | from € 3,800 – 4,500 |
| United States, Canada, Australia | from € 4,500 – 6,000 |
| United Kingdom | from € 3,500 – 4,500 |
* Indicative prices including mortuary passport processing, IATA casket and air cargo ticket. Each case is assessed individually.
The costs above include all main service components. We always provide a free, detailed quote with no hidden fees, within a few hours of your request.
Main destinations for repatriation from Italy
Repatriation from Italy to Romania
Romania is one of the most frequent destinations for funeral transport from Italy, given the large Romanian community living in Italy. Romania is a party to the 1968 European Agreement, which simplifies the formalities considerably.
Repatriation from Italy to Morocco
Body transport from Italy to Morocco is among the most requested routes. Moroccan consular procedures in Italy are well-structured. We handle the body in accordance with Islamic rites. We operate direct flights from Rome Fiumicino, Milan, Bologna, Venice, Palermo and Catania to Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech and other cities.
Repatriation from Italy to the Philippines
The Philippines is a frequent destination due to the large Filipino community in Italy. The Philippine consulate in Rome and Milan applies very strict requirements and requests translation of all documents. We operate via Asian hub flights to Manila and other Philippine cities.
Repatriation from Italy to Senegal
Body transport from Italy to Senegal requires particular attention to documentation, as Senegal is not party to the main international conventions. Special care is given to body preservation in line with Senegalese customs and traditions.
Repatriation from Italy to the United Kingdom
The transfer of remains from Italy to the UK requires specific documentation including a consular death certificate and compliance with UK Funeral Directing standards. We coordinate directly with receiving funeral directors across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Repatriation from Italy to Bangladesh and Pakistan
The Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities in Italy are growing rapidly. Body transport to Bangladesh and Pakistan requires specific documentation. We coordinate flights via Dubai, Doha or Istanbul to Dhaka, Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
Repatriation from Italy to Peru and Ecuador
For body transport from Italy to South America, we manage routes to Lima, Guayaquil, Quito and other destinations. Flights depart from Rome or Milan with connections via major South American hubs. We handle clearances from the Peruvian and Ecuadorian consulates in Italy.
Repatriation from Italy to China
Body transport from Italy to China requires specific coordination with the Chinese consulate and particularly rigorous documentation procedures. We operate direct or hub-routed flights to major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Wenzhou and Chengdu.
All other destinations worldwide
Funeralpass organises repatriation of remains from Italy to any country in the world: sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, India, Central Asia, the Caribbean and Oceania. If your destination is not listed, contact us — we will reach it.
Frequently asked questions about repatriation from Italy
How do I arrange repatriation of remains from Italy?
Simply contact Funeralpass on +39 06 7960008. We gather the necessary information, immediately start the ASL and municipal procedures, contact the destination country's embassy and arrange transport. The family or company does not need to handle anything else.
How long does it take to send a body abroad from Italy?
The average timeframe is 2–5 business days. The main variable is the embassy's response time for the consular clearance. Funeralpass has established relationships with the main embassies in Italy, which helps accelerate the process.
Is embalming compulsory to send a body out of Italy?
Under DPR 285/1990, conservative treatment of the body is required for international funeral transport. Many destination countries expressly require certified embalming. Funeralpass coordinates the service with authorised funeral operators.
What is the mortuary passport and who issues it in Italy?
The mortuary passport is the document issued by the municipality of death that authorises international transport of the body outside Italian territory. It is mandatory for any international funeral transport departing from Italy. Funeralpass handles the application and obtains this document on your behalf.
Can I choose the funeral home in the destination country?
Yes. If the family already has a trusted local contact, we coordinate delivery directly with that funeral home. Alternatively, Funeralpass can manage the entire process through selected and vetted local partners, right through to the burial cemetery.
Is road transport possible to European countries?
Yes. For destinations such as Romania, Albania, Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain or Germany, we evaluate road transport by hearse, which in some cases is faster and more cost-effective than air cargo.