Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Burkina Faso and bringing ashes home

Cremation not available in Burkina Faso. This page sets out what Burkina Faso requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Burkina Faso

Cremation in Burkina Faso

Can you cremate someone in Burkina Faso?

Cremation not available in Burkina Faso.

Religious context: Mixed Muslim, Christian, and animist. Islamic burial customs for Muslim majority.

Weighing cremation abroad against bringing your loved one home intact? How families decide between the two.

Who must release the body

Police Nationale du Burkina Faso, Tribunal de Grande Instance, Ministry of Health

Documentation language

French

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Burkina Faso: Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (ADD); Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca (CMN); Air France Ouagadougou (service irregular: verify). Brussels Airlines via Brussels.

Departure airports: Ouagadougou Airport (OUA)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Burkina Faso

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case. For Burkina Faso the things that move it are:

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Police Nationale du Burkina Faso, Tribunal de Grande Instance, Ministry of Health has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in French
Routing home. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (ADD); Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca (CMN); Air France Ouagadougou (service irregular: verify). Brussels Airlines via Brussels.
Whether you carry the ashes yourself or need them shipped

Considering full repatriation instead?

Some families decide they want their loved one brought home intact. The full Burkina Faso guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Burkina Faso

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Burkina Faso

The step-by-step first response guide covers the first 24 hours in Burkina Faso.

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Burkina Faso

Talk to us about cremation in Burkina Faso

We deal with Police Nationale du Burkina Faso, Tribunal de Grande Instance, Ministry of Health and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.