Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in the Central African Republic
This guide explains what happens after a death in the Central African Republic, who to contact, and how to arrange for your loved one to be brought home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country. Facts for British nationals come from FCDO and government sources. Every situation is different, and if you would like us to take over the arrangements, send us the details.
The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the world’s most fragile states. Armed groups control large areas outside the capital Bangui. Russian Wagner Group (Africa Corps) has operated alongside government forces since 2018. FCDO advises against all travel to all areas of CAR outside Bangui, and all but essential travel to Bangui itself.
There is no resident British Embassy. Consular coverage comes from the British Embassy in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
First step
Call the FCDO Emergency Travel Line: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). British Embassy Yaoundé, Cameroon: +237 222 220 545.
Do not travel to CAR. All management must be conducted remotely.
British Embassy Yaoundé: non-resident coverage
No British Embassy in CAR. All consular services come from the British Embassy in Yaoundé. The Embassy registers the death for UK purposes and advises on current conditions and the feasibility of any given case in Bangui.
Civil registration in Bangui
CAR uses French civil law. Death registration in Bangui runs through the état civil. Documentation is in French. The attending physician certifies cause of death. The civil registrar issues the acte de décès.
For non-natural deaths, FACA (Forces Armées Centrafricaines) or police must attend and issue clearance. The security environment means this can involve both national authority and MINUSCA (UN peacekeeping mission in CAR) chains of contact. An examining magistrate issues judicial clearance.
Ministry of Health export permit
Once civil registration and security clearance are complete, the Ministry of Health issues the export permit. A licensed funeral director embalms and prepares the body in Bangui. All documents require certified English translation.
Document checklist
| Document | Language | Issuer |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate (acte de décès) | French | État civil |
| Medical certificate | French | Attending physician |
| FACA/police clearance | French | FACA or Police Nationale |
| Judicial clearance | French | Examining magistrate |
| Ministry of Health export permit | French | Ministry of Health |
| Certified translations | English | Certified translator |
Routing
Bangui M’Poko International Airport (BGF):
- Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa (ADD): most reliable UK cargo route
- Air France direct Bangui-Paris CDG: connecting London
- Kenya Airways to Nairobi (NBO)
Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is the most consistent option for UK-bound cargo from Bangui.
Outside Bangui: not achievable
FCDO advises against all travel to all areas of CAR outside Bangui. Armed groups control most of the country. Civilian body recovery from outside Bangui is not achievable by standard repatriation means.
What to do first
FCDO: 020 7008 5000. British Embassy Yaoundé: +237 222 220 545.
Engage a specialist firm with Central African Francophone experience and confirmed Bangui contacts. Do not travel. All management must be done remotely.
Sources: UK FCDO Central African Republic travel advice (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/central-african-republic, updated 2024); British Embassy Yaoundé; UN MINUSCA.
First things first
What to do in the first 24 hours
The immediate period after a death abroad is disorienting. Here are the steps in the order they normally need to happen.
Contact local emergency services
Contact the embassy or consulate
Tell the embassy or consulate of your loved one's own country as soon as possible. It can register the death, give you a list of local funeral directors and explain what the local authorities will need.
British nationals, FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Appoint a local funeral director
A local funeral director in the Central African Republic will take care of the body, arrange embalming, obtain the necessary documents, and coordinate with airlines. The embassy can recommend accredited directors. You can also contact a specialist UK repatriation company, who will coordinate with a local partner on your behalf.
Contact your travel insurer
If your loved one had travel insurance with repatriation cover, contact the insurer immediately. They will often have an emergency assistance line and may appoint their own funeral director. Many policies cover the full cost of repatriation, subject to the limit set out in the policy schedule.
Gather the required documents
Repatriation from the Central African Republic requires specific paperwork before a body can be transported. Your local funeral director will handle most of this.
What to expect
How long does it take?
Cost guide
What affects the cost?
Nobody publishes a reliable figure for the Central African Republic alone. Our cost page sets out the ranges repatriation firms publish, each named and dated. What you pay turns on the specifics of the case.
| Where the death happened | Distance to the departure airport, and any island or overland transfer, changes the freight arrangement |
| Whether a post-mortem is ordered | An investigation holds the release and adds mortuary time |
| Documentation required | Central African Republic paperwork, translation, and any legalisation step |
| Coffin and preparation | Airline and destination rules dictate what is needed |
| Flight availability | Direct services cost less to arrange than multi-leg cargo routing |
| Insurance | Whether a policy covers repatriation, and up to what limit |
Send us the details and we will give you a figure for your case, with no obligation.
Full repatriation guide for the Central African Republic
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
View full guideSend us the details
If you need someone to take over the arrangements, tell us what has happened. We arrange repatriation from the Central African Republic to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
Send an enquiryTell us what has happened in the Central African Republic
Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing your loved one home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Official lists for the Central African Republic
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
- Lawyers, where an estate or an investigation needs local legal advice
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from the Central African Republic · Frequently asked questions