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The short answer
Repatriating a body from the UK to Lagos is priced in parts: the funeral director's services, the coffin and its zinc lining, airline cargo and official fees. Funeral Partners' November 2023 price list put its own services at £2,655 and zinc lining at £350, with the coffin, air freight and consular fees quoted separately, so an all-in figure depends on those quotes.
Why there is no single price
Families searching for "how much to fly a body to Lagos" find few published prices. That is because repatriation is put together from several suppliers: the UK funeral director, the airline's cargo department, the coffin maker and the authorities who issue certificates. Funeral Partners' repatriation booklet says costs depend on the specific requirement, the destination and the choice of coffin or casket, and that a detailed quote listing all charges will be provided. Always ask for that itemised quote.
The cost elements, with published prices
These are Funeral Partners' prices from November 2023, the most detailed published list we found. They are a guide only; other firms charge differently and prices will have risen.
| Element | Price (Nov 2023) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Collecting and moving the deceased | £300 | Within 15 miles; £2 a mile beyond |
| Care of the deceased | £400 | Dressing and climate-controlled holding |
| Embalming for repatriation | £200 | Includes certificate of embalming |
| Professional services | £1,280 | Planning, coroner permission, embassy and airline liaison, documents |
| Wrapping or crating the coffin | £150 | Required for air transport |
| Vehicle to the airport | £325 | Within 25 miles; £2 a mile beyond |
| Subtotal, funeral director services | £2,655 | |
| Zinc lining | £350 | £400 with a glass viewing panel |
| Local service before departure | £500 to £850 | Optional; depends on day and time |
| Coffin or casket | Not listed | Chosen from brochure |
| Air freight, consular fees, certificates | Not listed | Disbursements, passed on at cost |
The six funeral director items add up: £300 + £400 + £200 + £1,280 + £150 + £325 = £2,655.
The documents behind the fees
Simplicity Cremations' guide lists the papers usually needed: the coroner's acknowledgement and Out of England permission, a freedom from infection certificate, a certificate of embalming and the deceased's passport. Embalming is required, and most countries require a zinc-lined coffin. The Nigeria High Commission in London charges £20 for any consular service, paid by postal order; ask its consular section what it requires for a body going to Lagos.
A worked example to Lagos
Example only. The first two lines come from the November 2023 price list; the coffin and freight figures are assumptions to show how a total builds. Replace them with your quotes.
| Item | Example amount |
|---|---|
| Funeral director services | £2,655 |
| Zinc lining | £350 |
| Coffin (assumed) | £1,200 |
| Air freight to Lagos (assumed) | £2,500 |
| Certificates and consular fees (assumed) | £150 |
| Total in the UK | £6,855 |
Check the sum: £2,655 + £350 + £1,200 + £2,500 + £150 = £6,855. Funeral Partners' list says full payment is required before repatriation, so the family needs this money in place within days, not weeks.
Costs at the Lagos end
The UK quote stops at the departure airport or at arrival. In Lagos, budget separately for:
- Clearing the body at the airport cargo terminal and any handling fees
- A hearse from the airport to the mortuary or the family home
- Mortuary fees until the burial date
- The funeral itself: venue, service, burial plot, food and guests
These vary widely, so ask a Lagos funeral home for a written quote. Our guide to the burial budget in Nigeria covers the home end in detail.
Questions to ask before you accept a quote
- Does the quote include the coffin and zinc lining, or are they extra?
- Which airline and route will be used, and is the freight price fixed or an estimate?
- Is delivery to Lagos airport only, or to a funeral home in Lagos?
- Which documents will you obtain, and which must the family obtain?
- What happens to the price if the coroner's release or the flight is delayed?
- When is payment due, and is any part refundable if plans change?
Ask for answers in writing. Two quotes compared line by line, on the same basis, show where the real differences lie.
Paying quickly without losing track
Because payment is due before the flight, families often pool money in a hurry, with siblings, cousins and friends sending what they can. Name one person to receive contributions and pay the funeral director, keep a list of every amount received, and ask the funeral director for a receipt for each payment. Our guide to keeping account of funeral collections shows a simple ledger.
Ways to reduce the cost
- Check existing cover. Some funeral plans, life policies and employee benefits include repatriation. Our guide to funeral insurance with repatriation cover explains what to look for.
- Get two quotes. Funeral directors who handle repatriation regularly may have better airline rates.
- Choose the coffin carefully. A simpler coffin with the required zinc lining costs less, and an elaborate casket can be bought in Lagos for the burial.
- Consider cremation. For some families, flying ashes home is acceptable and costs far less.
Where Pryme fits
Families often pool money from the UK, the US and Nigeria within days. A Pryme account receives GBP, USD and NGN and keeps each in its own currency until you choose to convert with Swap, with the rate and fee shown first. Outside Nigeria, Pryme works through regulated partners.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to send a body from the UK to Nigeria?
There is no fixed price. One funeral director's November 2023 list put its own services at £2,655 plus £350 for zinc lining, with the coffin, airline freight and fees quoted separately.
Who pays for repatriation of a body to Nigeria?
The family, unless an insurance policy, funeral plan or employer benefit covers it. Funeral directors usually want full payment before the body is flown.
Is embalming compulsory to fly a body to Nigeria?
Embalming is required for repatriation, and most countries also require a zinc-lined coffin.
Is it cheaper to cremate in the UK and take the ashes home?
Usually yes. Ashes need far less paperwork and no air cargo for a coffin. Check that cremation suits the family's faith and wishes.
Sources
- Funeral Partners: Repatriation services and price list (Nov 2023) · accessed Oct 2026
- Simplicity Cremations: Body repatriation from the UK to overseas · accessed Oct 2026
- Nigeria High Commission London: Consular services · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.