Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Eritrea and bringing ashes home

No cremation in Eritrea. Orthodox Christian and Islamic burial practices predominant. This page sets out what Eritrea requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Eritrea

Cremation in Eritrea

Can you cremate someone in Eritrea?

No cremation in Eritrea. Orthodox Christian and Islamic burial practices predominant.

Religious context: Predominantly Eritrean Orthodox Christian and Sunni Muslim. Both religious communities have established burial practices. Government controls all religious institutions.

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

Who must release the body

Ministry of Health; Regional Administration; National Security (PFDJ)

Documentation language

Tigrinya; Arabic; English

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Eritrea: Asmara via Cairo (EgyptAir), Dubai (connections via Ethiopian Airlines or flydubai), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). Limited direct international service.

Departure airports: Asmara International Airport (ASM)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Eritrea

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Ministry of Health; Regional Administration; National Security (PFDJ) has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Tigrinya; Arabic; English
Routing home. Asmara via Cairo (EgyptAir), Dubai (connections via Ethiopian Airlines or flydubai), Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). Limited direct international service.
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 Eritrea guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Eritrea

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Eritrea

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

Official lists for Eritrea

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
Lawyers, where an estate or an investigation needs local legal advice

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Eritrea

Talk to us about cremation in Eritrea

We deal with Ministry of Health; Regional Administration; National Security (PFDJ) and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.