§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the arrangements for the repatriation of bodies to the United Kingdom of Britons dying in the European Union are satisfactory; and whether they would support co-ordinated action across the European Union to tackle this problem, 157WA which confronts families at a time of highest distress. [HL4412]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe offer as much assistance as possible to bereaved relatives. However, the arrangements for repatriation of bodies are undertaken by specialist independent international funeral directors who have been involved in the preparation of a Draft Council Directive on Intra-Community Transfers of Mortal Remains. Their aim is to raise standards throughout the European Union, which can fall well short of those acceptable in the UK.