Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Guinea-Bissau and bringing ashes home

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

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Guinea-Bissau

Cremation in Guinea-Bissau

Can you cremate someone in Guinea-Bissau?

Cremation facilities are not available in Guinea-Bissau. Remains must be repatriated for cremation in the UK.

Religious context: Mix of Islam (c.45%), indigenous beliefs (c.31%), Christianity (c.22%). Islamic burial timeline pressure may apply. Allow for local traditional funerary customs.

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

Who must release the body

Conservatória do Registo Civil (Civil Registry), Polícia Judiciária

Documentation language

Portuguese; Crioulo

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Guinea-Bissau: Most repatriations route via Dakar (Senegal) or Lisbon (Portugal) using TAP Air Portugal or Air Senegal. Dakar is the primary regional hub.

Departure airports: Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB), Bissau

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Guinea-Bissau

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Conservatória do Registo Civil (Civil Registry), Polícia Judiciária has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Portuguese; Crioulo
Routing home. Most repatriations route via Dakar (Senegal) or Lisbon (Portugal) using TAP Air Portugal or Air Senegal. Dakar is the primary regional hub.
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 Guinea-Bissau guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Guinea-Bissau

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Guinea-Bissau

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

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Guinea-Bissau

Talk to us about cremation in Guinea-Bissau

We deal with Conservatória do Registo Civil (Civil Registry), Polícia Judiciária and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.