- In every case where someone wishes to take a body out of England or Wales written notice must be given to the coroner in whose area the body is located. The coroner will then consider whether an investigation, inquest or post mortem examination is needed and will notify the deceased’s family with a decision within four days.
The coroner may need to investigate the death and may be required to hold an inquest. When the death has occurred outside England and Wales and the body is returned to England or Wales, the death is not registered by the registrar or births and deaths when the coroner has finished investigating or has concluded the inquest.
Further information about what to do when a death occurs abroad can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Officer’s website
fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/when-things-go-wrong/death-abroad