Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Egypt
Cremation is NOT available in Egypt. There are no cremation facilities in the country. Islamic tradition prohibits cremation, and Egyptian law does not provide for it. Families wishing to cremate must repatriate the body and cremate in the UK or another country. This page covers what Egypt requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
3-10 days to arrange
What does Egypt require before ashes can leave?
Where cremation happens: Cremation is NOT available in Egypt. There are no cremation facilities in the country. Islamic tradition prohibits cremation, and Egyptian law does not provide for it. Families wishing to cremate must repatriate the body and cremate in the UK or another country.
Burial is near-universal. Cremation is effectively unavailable and culturally/religiously opposed. Islamic and Coptic Christian traditions both favour burial. There are NO cremation facilities in Egypt.
Documentation language: Arabic (Egyptian Arabic dialect)
Authority that must release the case: Forensic Medical Authority (Maslahat al-Tibb al-Shar'i)
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?
What does Egypt require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Egypt 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 Egypt, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 Egypt 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 Egypt
Official support
British Embassy in Egypt: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Forensic Medical Authority (Maslahat al-Tibb al-Shar'i) and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Official lists for Egypt
Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.
- Lawyers, where an estate or an investigation needs local legal advice
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Egypt
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Egypt
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.