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Guided Home with Gentle Care

HL Hawes & Son offers a full repatriation service helping you bring a loved one home to the UK or arrange their dignified return to their country of origin.

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When someone dies far from home, the distance can feel overwhelming.

Whether a loved one has passed away while overseas, or whether a family here is supporting the return of someone to their country of birth, we are available 24 hours a day, with the sensitivity and personal care that over 175 years of serving this community has given us.

We will walk with you through every step not rushing you, and not leaving you to navigate this alone

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Bringing a Loved One Home to the UK

When a death occurs abroad and the family wishes to bring their loved one home  for the funeral, we will manage the entire process on your behalf.

We manage the full process of documentation, permits, flights, and receiving your loved one back into our care at our Barkingside or Chingford office ready for the funeral you have planned.

Returning a Loved One to Their Country of Origin

For many families a loved one’s final wish is to be buried or cremated in the country they came from, or to wherever they considered home.

We manage the full process preparation, permits, documentation, flight so that your family here and your family overseas can focus entirely on each other.

Legal Documentation & Translation

Our team handles all necessary paperwork — including death certificates, embalming certificates, customs clearance and transport permits.

Certified translations can be arranged where required.

Reception & Arrangements on Arrival

If your loved one is being returned to the UK, we will meet them upon arrival and continue arrangements locally — including onward transport and funeral planning.

Please Reach Out to Us — Day or Night.

Please do not hesitate to call us the moment you need guidance. We will begin the process of helping you immediately.

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Words from the
Families We’ve Helped

I highly recommend H L Hawes & Son
They were so kind and caring and supportive to my family, though this difficult time. I would personally like to thank all the staff but give a special thanks to Richard for everything he did for us . We wanted Dad to have a lovely send off and that's what he got
The team is lovely
Special thanks to Brett who guided the family during a difficult time and was on hand to deal with all requests & queries. He made the process seamless. We had a traditional Hindu funeral and they accommodated all our needs. Thank you
We would like to take the time to Thank You
Thank You all for the very professional and amazing way looked after the final stages for my cousin’s funeral and memorial service. Your attention was wonderful. From the funeral home to the celebrant and the printer of the Order of Service . Nothing was left out .
Sensitive and professional, also with other traditions/religions (e.g. Sikhism)
We cannot thank Richard, Marc and the team enough. Came highly recommended, would highly recommend.
H L Hawes recently conducted the funeral of my late father.
They were so helpful throughout the whole process, and provided such a professional service before and on the day. I especially want to thank Lorraine, for all her patience, understanding, and support. You were amazing. Thank you all for ensuring my father had such a good send off.
We used H L Hawes to handle my Mum's funeral. The friendly team led by Brett gave us a such a perfect day.
They were so efficient and sympathetic throughout the weeks leading up to the event and that made it so much easier for us. They thought of everything – and it all went off so smoothly without a hitch. It was all just as Mum would have wanted, full of dignity and respect. I have no hesitation in recommending them for outstanding service .
We used H L Hawes & Son for my little sister funeral. They was so professional, polite, understanding and respectful.
Their communication and organisation was so amazing. I cannot thank Brett and team enough and forever grateful for giving my sister an amazing send off.
Thank you to Brett and Richard for helping the family to organise our Mum's funeral.
Obviously this is a very emotional time and they were both on hand, with nothing too much trouble, enabling us to rightly celebrate our Mum's life with dignity but not at all stuffy. Mum would have been proud.

Community Voice

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At West & Coe, care doesn’t stop at the service. Learn about our continued support for grieving families — from local groups to helpful resources you can access anytime.
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