Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Senegal
You have ashes in Senegal and need to bring them home. This page covers what Senegal requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
3-10 days to arrange
What does Senegal require before ashes can leave?
Departure airports: DSS (Blaise Diagne International, Dakar)
Carriers serving the UK: Air Senegal; Air France; Royal Air Maroc; Brussels Airlines
Authority that must release the case: Etat Civil (Civil Registry) in the commune of death; Ministry of Interior laissez-passer; Ministry of Health certificate; Institut Medico-Legal (IML), Dakar; Parquet (Prosecutor's Office) for unnatural deaths
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 Senegal require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Senegal 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 Senegal, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 Senegal 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.
What else is worth knowing about Senegal?
Senegal is a Muslim-majority country; cremation is generally not available or acceptable; No direct UK flights; routing via Paris (Air France) or Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc) is standard; Dakar is the regional hub for West Africa, deaths elsewhere in Senegal (Saint-Louis, Casamance, Ziguinchor) require transfer to Dakar; Former French colony: documentation is in French throughout. Certified English translation required
high
Full repatriation guide
Complete guide: repatriation from Senegal
Official support
British Embassy in Senegal: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Etat Civil (Civil Registry) in the commune of death; Ministry of Interior laissez-passer; Ministry of Health certificate; Institut Medico-Legal (IML), Dakar; Parquet (Prosecutor's Office) for unnatural deaths and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Official lists for Senegal
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 Senegal
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Senegal
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.