Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Gabon and bringing ashes home

Cremation facilities are not available in Gabon. Remains must be repatriated for cremation in the UK. This page sets out what Gabon requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Gabon

Cremation in Gabon

Can you cremate someone in Gabon?

Cremation facilities are not available in Gabon. Remains must be repatriated for cremation in the UK.

Religious context: Predominantly Christian (c.75%), with Islam (c.12%) and indigenous beliefs. No significant Islamic burial timeline pressure in most cases.

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

Who must release the body

Tribunal de Première Instance, Service de l'État Civil

Documentation language

French

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Gabon: Repatriations route via Paris (Air France operates Libreville to Paris CDG) or via Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc). Ethiopian Airlines serves Libreville via Addis Ababa.

Departure airports: Libreville Leon M'ba International Airport (LBV)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Gabon

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Tribunal de Première Instance, Service de l'État Civil has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in French
Routing home. Repatriations route via Paris (Air France operates Libreville to Paris CDG) or via Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc). Ethiopian Airlines serves Libreville via Addis Ababa.
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 Gabon guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Gabon

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Gabon

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

Official lists for Gabon

Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.

Translators and interpreters, for certified translation of the death certificate and permits

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

Talk to us about cremation in Gabon

We deal with Tribunal de Première Instance, Service de l'État Civil and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.