Bringing a body into Jersey for a funeral

Seeking assistance with deaths abroad

When a person dies abroad, before arrangements can be made to bring the person's body to Jersey, the death must be registered according to the law of the country in which the death occurred. Where the death occurred outside the British Isles the next of kin can seek assistance from the British consulate in the country concerned.

It may also be necessary to liaise with the Coroner or similar officer in the jurisdiction where the person died to get permission to remove the body from that jurisdiction and return the body to Jersey.

Applications to bring a body to Jersey

The next of kin will need to engage the services of a funeral director in Jersey in order to assist them with making arrangements for the transport of the body.  An application will need to be made to the Coroner for permission to bring a body to Jersey for a funeral. This application is often completed by the relevant Funeral Director.  Please contact the Court Services Team for the appropriate form. 

Things to be aware of

If the circumstances surrounding the death are such that the Coroner in Jersey suspects that it would be appropriate to conduct an inquest, then the coroner has a discretion to do so. For example, an inquest might be appropriate if the cause of death is unclear or the death was the result of an accident. 

The Coroner in Jersey may order a post-mortem when the body arrives in Jersey if appropriate,  but will have regard to whether a post-mortem has already been carried out in the country in which the person died and the  report resulting from that. 

It is important that the date for the funeral is not fixed until the Coroner has determined whether it is necessary to conduct an inquest or post-mortem.