Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Iraq and bringing ashes home

Cremation is not practised in Iraq and facilities are not available. All remains must be repatriated in full. This page sets out what Iraq requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Iraq

Cremation in Iraq

Can you cremate someone in Iraq?

Cremation is not practised in Iraq and facilities are not available. All remains must be repatriated in full.

Religious context: Predominantly Muslim (c.97%: approximately 64% Shia, 32% Sunni). Islamic burial within 24 hours is strongly observed. Repatriation to the UK for Muslim deceased may require specific documentation confirming Islamic rites were observed where possible. Christian and Yazidi minorities exist.

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

Who must release the body

Civil Status Directorate (Mudiriyyat al-Ahwal al-Madaniyyah), Ministry of Interior, Medico-Legal Directorate

Documentation language

Arabic; Kurdish

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Iraq: Repatriations from Baghdad typically route via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates/flydubai), or Amman (Royal Jordanian). Erbil has direct Turkish Airlines and other services. Basra uses Dubai as the primary hub.

Departure airports: Baghdad International Airport (BGW); Erbil International Airport (EBL); Basra International Airport (BSR)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Iraq

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Civil Status Directorate (Mudiriyyat al-Ahwal al-Madaniyyah), Ministry of Interior, Medico-Legal Directorate has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Arabic; Kurdish
Routing home. Repatriations from Baghdad typically route via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates/flydubai), or Amman (Royal Jordanian). Erbil has direct Turkish Airlines and other services. Basra uses Dubai as the primary 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 Iraq guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Iraq

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Iraq

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

Official lists for Iraq

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

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

Talk to us about cremation in Iraq

We deal with Civil Status Directorate (Mudiriyyat al-Ahwal al-Madaniyyah), Ministry of Interior, Medico-Legal Directorate and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.