Repatriations

Repatriation letters

The department issues repatriation letters to certify that there is no objection to the removal of the remains in question from the state of Victoria and that there is no indication that the direct cause of death was due to an infectious disease.

Issuing repatriation letters is not a statutory requirement under Victorian law, but they are usually required by foreign embassies as part of their own procedures to approve the repatriation of remains.

To receive a repatriation letter, a member of the public or a funeral director must email the following documents to statutoryapprovals.cemeteries@health.vic.gov.au:

• An email addressed to the manager of Permits and Licensing requesting a repatriation letter be issued.
• The death certificate issued by the Registrar of Births Deaths and Marriages (BDM).
• A medical certificate stating that the direct cause of death was not an infectious disease or an Order for Release of Body issued by the Coroners Court of Victoria which states that there is no indication of infectious diseases for the purpose of overseas repatriation.

Documentation should be provided to the department at least 48 hours in advance if possible. If all documentation requirements are met, a repatriation letter will be emailed to the requester.

For repatriation of cremated remains, a certificate of cremation and a death certificate should be provided.

Repatriation of remains into Australia

All enquiries related to the repatriation of deceased persons into Australia, regardless of nationality (including Australian), should be directed to the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade(opens in a new window).