Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from the Central African Republic
You have ashes in the Central African Republic and need to bring them home. This page covers what Central African Republic requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does Central African Republic require before ashes can leave?
Cremation not available in CAR.
Routing from the Central African Republic: Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (ADD); Air France via Paris CDG (BGF service); Kenya Airways via Nairobi. Ethiopian Airlines most reliable UK cargo route.
Departure airports: Bangui M'Poko International Airport (BGF)
Documentation language: French; Sango
Authority that must release the case: Forces Armées Centrafricaines (FACA), Ministry of Health, civil registrar
The rules that apply on any route, and what you may do with ashes once home, are covered in bringing ashes into the UK.
What are the airline rules for carrying ashes?
If you are connecting through a third country on this routing, that country's rules apply to the transit as well, and should be checked separately.
What does Central African Republic require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in the Central African Republic due to religious or legal reasons. If you are dealing with ashes from a previous cremation held elsewhere, the export rules may differ. Contact us for guidance specific to your situation.
What affects the cost?
Carrying ashes home yourself is the least expensive way to bring someone back from the Central African Republic, and for many families it costs little more than the return flight they are already taking. We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.
| What changes the cost | Why |
|---|---|
| Whether the cremation has already taken place | Arranging it locally adds funeral director and crematorium involvement |
| Where the death happened | Distance to the nearest crematorium changes local transfer |
| Carrying versus shipping | Hand luggage costs nothing extra; a specialist courier is a separate arrangement |
| Documentation Central African Republic requires | Export permits and translation, where they apply |
Send us the details of your situation and we will give you a figure, with no obligation.
Full repatriation guide
Complete guide: repatriation from the Central African Republic
Official support
British Embassy in the Central African Republic: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Forces Armées Centrafricaines (FACA), Ministry of Health, civil registrar and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Official lists for the Central African Republic
Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.
- Translators and interpreters, for certified translation of the death certificate and permits
- Lawyers, where an estate or an investigation needs local legal advice
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from the Central African Republic
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from the Central African Republic
Tell us where the ashes are now and where home is. We will explain what is needed and send you a quote. We send ashes home to the UK, Ireland or any other country.