Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from France
Death certificate (acte de deces); Cremation certificate; Local authority certificate authorising transport of ashes This page covers what France requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance. Check individual airline policy.
Widely available across France. Cremation rates have grown significantly.
3-10 days to arrange
What does France require before ashes can leave?
Death certificate (acte de deces); Cremation certificate; Local authority certificate authorising transport of ashes
Carrying ashes out: Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance. Check individual airline policy.
Where cremation happens: Widely available across France. Cremation rates have grown significantly.
Cremation has grown rapidly in France and now accounts for approximately 40% of funerals. Burial remains the traditional choice.
Most full-service airlines allow ashes in carry-on with documentation. Budget airlines have specific policies. Container should be non-metallic for security screening.
Documentation language: French. Regional languages include Breton, Alsatian, Occitan, Basque, Corsican, and Catalan.
Authority that must release the case: Institut Medico Legal (IML)
The rules that apply on any route, and what you may do with ashes once home, are covered in bringing ashes into the UK.
Documents you need
- Death certificate (acte de deces)
- Cremation certificate
- Local authority certificate authorising transport of ashes
What are the airline rules for carrying ashes?
Hand luggage guidance
Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance. Check individual airline policy.
What does France require to export ashes?
Cremation is available in France. Crematoriums will issue a cremation certificate, which is the core document for export. In some countries, additional certificates from health or foreign affairs authorities are required. The funeral director who handled the cremation will guide you on this.
What affects the cost?
Carrying ashes home yourself is the least expensive way to bring someone back from France, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 | Crematoria: Widely available across France. Cremation rates have grown significantly.. Distance to the nearest one changes local transfer |
| Carrying versus shipping | Hand luggage costs nothing extra; a specialist courier is a separate arrangement |
| Documentation France 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 France
Deciding on cremation?
Cremation in France: full guide including costs and what to expect
Official support
British Embassy in France: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Institut Medico Legal (IML) and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Official lists for France
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 France
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from France
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.