Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Iraq
You have ashes in Iraq and need to bring them home. This page covers what Iraq requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does Iraq require before ashes can leave?
Cremation is not practised in Iraq and facilities are not available. All remains must be repatriated in full.
Routing from Iraq: Repatriations from Baghdad typically route via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates/flydubai), or Amman (Royal Jordanian). Erbil has direct Turkish Airlines and other services. Basra uses Dubai as the primary hub.
Departure airports: Baghdad International Airport (BGW); Erbil International Airport (EBL); Basra International Airport (BSR)
Documentation language: Arabic; Kurdish
Authority that must release the case: Civil Status Directorate (Mudiriyyat al-Ahwal al-Madaniyyah), Ministry of Interior, Medico-Legal Directorate
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 Iraq require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Iraq 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 Iraq, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 Iraq 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 Iraq
Official support
British Embassy in Iraq: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Civil Status Directorate (Mudiriyyat al-Ahwal al-Madaniyyah), Ministry of Interior, Medico-Legal Directorate and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Official lists for Iraq
Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.
- Funeral directors, for arranging local care and preparation
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Iraq
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Iraq
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.