Free from Infection for Repatriation

When a patient dies and the family requests repatriation to their country of birth, undertakers will require confirmation that the deceased posed no risk of transmissible infections. Although there is no formal “Free from Infection Certificate,” GPs are often asked to provide a private letter on practice letterhead. The guidance below outlines everyone’s responsibilities, the information the letter must contain, and how you can charge for this service.

Who Provides the Infection Information?

Postmortem Performed

If the deceased underwent a hospital postmortem, the pathologist who conducted the examination must issue the infection-clearance statement.
The GP should liaise with the hospital Mortuary Office or Pathology Department to request a certified letter confirming no evidence of transmissible infection.

No Postmortem Performed

If no postmortem has taken place, but the GP issued the death certificate, responsibility for confirming infection status lies with the GP.
Review the deceased’s clinical records, laboratory results, and any recent hospital correspondence to determine infection status.

Letter Content Requirements

When preparing a Free from Infection letter, whether it is produced by a pathologist or by a GP, it must clearly set out all the essential identifying and clinical details required for safe and lawful repatriation. The document should begin with the full name of the deceased and the date of their death, ensuring these match exactly with the official records. It must then include a clear statement confirming that, based on all available evidence – which may include clinical notes, laboratory test results, and, where applicable, a postmortem examination report – there is no indication of active infection with HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C. The letter should also specify the date of the most recent relevant diagnostic test or postmortem finding that supports this conclusion. Finally, it must make explicit that the statement is being issued solely for the purpose of facilitating international repatriation of the deceased.

For it to be valid and acceptable, the letter should be printed on official practice or hospital headed paper, signed and dated in original ink by the issuing clinician, and include clear contact details to allow undertakers, overseas authorities, or other relevant parties to seek clarification if required.

I hereby confirm that I have reviewed the available clinical records in relation to the above-named deceased. This review has included (clinical notes / laboratory test results / postmortem examination report). Based on this evidence, there is no indication of active infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Tuberculosis (TB), Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C. The most recent relevant test or postmortem finding was dated (insert date), and supports the conclusion that no such infections were present at that time. This statement is issued solely for the purpose of facilitating the international repatriation of the deceased. Yours faithfully,

Dr Example

Charging and Fees

Providing a “Free from Infection” letter does not fall within core GMS contractual obligations.
You may charge as a private service under the usual medical reports/letters fee schedule (e.g., private letter charge, report writing fees).
Agree the fee in advance with the undertakers or the deceased’s next of kin to avoid misunderstandings.