Repatriation is more than an administrative exercise and, particularly in multi-cultural societies around the world, often requires repatriation out of the UK as well as into the country. Rowland Brothers International have an established global network of over 500 funeral directors who each have an excellent reputation in providing a high quality service, enabling us to reassure our clients of a reputable, professional and courteous service at all times.
Rowland Brothers International (RBI) operate internationally on behalf of UK Funeral Directors, Insurance, Assistance companies, International companies, the Foreign Office, The United Nations and many Embassies, High Commissions & Consulates in London and around the World.
- RBI provide the only approved telephone helpline service for The National Association of Funeral Directors
- We handle all the documentation, translation, itemised billing and quotation, bereavement counselling, cost containment advice and management, freight forwarding and family ticketing that ensures a smooth repatriation and funeral service.
- Collection and delivery service throughout the UK, 24 hours, 7 days a week – 365 days a year
- Comprehensive repatriation services to and from the UK for all religious denominations
- RBI are members of many international associations including: The International Order of the Golden Rule, The Canadian Independents Association, FIAT/IFTA, NAFD, SAIF
Rowland Brothers International repatriation service started in 1971. The family funeral business, Rowland Brothers, established in the 1870s , was asked to exhume and repatriate a Countess to France. Then Senior Partner Tony Rowland was asked to set up a repatriation strategy for a popular tour operator, Intasun, which organised package holidays to Spain. Rowland Brothers International developed and has since worked with numerous holiday companies, insurance and assistance companies, and international corporations around the world. As our worldwide network grew, so did our connections with international organisations such as Insurance and Assistance companies, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Red Cross, Missing Abroad and the Metropolitan Police. In 2007, after many years experience within the company , Tony’s daughter Melanie Walkling became a partner together with her brother, Stephen. Melanie took over the role of International Operations Director for the International Department and Stephen took over the role of Managing Director and Director for Golden Leaves, Funeral Plans.
We are proud to provide a telephone helpline for funeral directors nationwide, sharing information with fellow members of the National Association of Funeral Directors all over the country.
Our aim is to empower families by providing information to help them reach a decision, often in traumatic circumstances. Our team is multi cultural and multi lingual, to facilitate liaison with our local and international clients. We value tradition, but innovation is equally important in the modern world where expectations are high, and 24/7 communication is the norm.
Our relationship with individual families is often short, but we appreciate how important it is to know what is happening and when to expect their loved one home. Our specialist co-ordinators manage arrangements with empathy and efficiency, honesty and integrity. They are thoughtful and professional, and ready to listen.
