Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in 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 requires, and what to check before you decide.

Cremation in

What applies in

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.

Who must release the body

Conservatória do Registo Civil (Civil Registry), Polícia Judiciária

Documentation language

Portuguese; Crioulo

Airline guidance

Carrying ashes on the flight home

Routing out of : 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

What affects the cost from

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case. For 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

Contact us with the details and we will give you a figure for your case. Source: FCDO guidance and funeral industry data

Considering full repatriation instead?

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

Full repatriation guide for

Talk to us about cremation in

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.

No obligation. Your details are kept strictly confidential.

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