Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and bringing ashes home

No commercial cremation facilities in DRC. This page sets out what Democratic Republic of Congo requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for the Democratic Republic of Congo

Cremation in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Can you cremate someone in the Democratic Republic of Congo?

No commercial cremation facilities in DRC.

Religious context: Predominantly Christian (Catholic, Protestant, Kimbanguist). Local funeral practices vary significantly by region and community.

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

Who must release the body

Parquet (state prosecutor); Police Nationale Congolaise; Institut National Medico-Legal (INML)

Documentation language

French; Lingala; Swahili; Kikongo

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of the Democratic Republic of Congo: Kinshasa via Brussels (Brussels Airlines), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Nairobi (Kenya Airways). Eastern DRC (Goma) may route via Nairobi or Kigali.

Departure airports: Ndjili International Airport (FIH), Kinshasa; Goma International Airport (GOM)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from the Democratic Republic of Congo

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Parquet (state prosecutor); Police Nationale Congolaise; Institut National Medico-Legal (INML) has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in French; Lingala; Swahili; Kikongo
Routing home. Kinshasa via Brussels (Brussels Airlines), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Nairobi (Kenya Airways). Eastern DRC (Goma) may route via Nairobi or Kigali.
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 Democratic Republic of Congo guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for the Democratic Republic of Congo

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The step-by-step first response guide covers the first 24 hours in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Official lists for the Democratic Republic of Congo

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 the Democratic Republic of Congo

Talk to us about cremation in the Democratic Republic of Congo

We deal with Parquet (state prosecutor); Police Nationale Congolaise; Institut National Medico-Legal (INML) and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.