Repatriation of remains
When someone dies far from home, their family often wishes to bring them back for the funeral. Repatriating the body involves formalities in two countries, an authorised funeral operator and an airline. We help the family through these steps with discretion and respect.
[Service to be confirmed by the company]
Who does what
The repatriation of a body is carried out by an authorised funeral operator, mandated by the family. The operator prepares the body, places it in the coffin and completes the formalities with the authorities. [Funeral operator(s) the company works with, and the company’s exact role].
The embassy or consulate of the deceased’s country can help the family with local procedures. If the deceased held a travel insurance or assistance contract, contact the insurer or assistance company as early as possible: these contracts often include the repatriation of the body.
Death abroad, funeral in France
- The family contacts the French embassy or consulate in the country where the death occurred, and the insurer or assistance company if there is a contract.
- The local authorities record the death and issue the death certificate.
- The French embassy or consulate issues the authorisation for the body to be transported into France.
- The body is placed in a sealed coffin: for transport by air to or from France, a hermetic coffin with a metal casing is compulsory.
- The coffin is flown as air cargo, under an air waybill, and collected at the arrival airport by the funeral operator in charge of the funeral.
Between countries that are party to the international agreements on the transport of bodies, known as the Berlin and Strasbourg agreements, the body travels with a mortuary pass, the laissez-passer mortuaire, issued in the country of departure. The French administration’s page on the transport of a deceased person sets out the rules.
Death in France, funeral abroad
When the funeral is to take place in another country, the funeral operator applies to the prefecture of the département where the coffin is closed. Transport outside France requires the authorisation of the préfet, which takes the form of a laissez-passer mortuaire when the destination country is party to the Berlin or Strasbourg agreements.
The prefecture generally asks for the death certificate, the medical certificate of death, the authorisation to close the coffin issued by the town hall and a certificate of non-contagion. If the medical certificate mentions a medico-legal obstacle, the public prosecutor must not object to the body leaving France. The destination country may require further documents, translations or consular formalities: its embassy or consulate gives the list. Here too, a hermetic coffin is compulsory for air transport.
Cost and insurance
The French administration is clear on this point: unless a contract covers them, the costs of repatriating a body are borne by the family. Before committing to any expense, check the travel insurance or assistance contract, the cover attached to some bank cards, and the home insurance policy. Our guide to insurance and assistance explains how cover generally works.
The price depends on the distance, the weight and size of the coffin, the formalities and the funeral operators at both ends. We send a written quote: [items included in a repatriation of remains quote]. See also costs and our page for insurers and assistance companies.
Respecting family and religious wishes
Religious and family wishes are taken into account at each stage. Some families, for religious or cultural reasons, wish the burial to take place as quickly as possible: tell us at your first call, so that the formalities can begin without delay.
If the family chooses cremation in the country where the death occurred, the urn also needs an authorisation to enter France, issued by the embassy or consulate. Whether a relative can carry the urn on board depends on the airline: IATA advises checking with the airline or the funeral operator before the flight.
Important
This page gives general information on the rules that apply in France. Procedures vary by country and can change: the consulate, the prefecture and the funeral operator confirm the documents required.
Questions about the repatriation of remains
How long does a repatriation of remains take?
It depends on the local formalities, the documents required by both countries and the available flights: [usual time for a repatriation of remains]. Ask us for an estimate when you first contact us.
Who pays for the repatriation?
The family, unless a travel insurance, assistance contract or other policy covers it, under the conditions of that contract.
Can relatives travel with the deceased?
The coffin travels as cargo; relatives travel as passengers with their own tickets, and can plan their journey once the coffin’s flight is known.
Can the ashes be brought back instead of the body?
Yes, when cremation is chosen and possible locally. The urn needs an authorisation: from the French embassy or consulate to enter France or, to leave France, from the préfet of the place of cremation or of the applicant’s residence.
Help with a repatriation of remains
Tell us where the death occurred, where the funeral will take place and whether an insurer or assistance company is involved. We reply with a written quote. See how it works and our other services.