Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Guinea-Bissau
This guide explains what happens after a death in Guinea-Bissau, 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.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Guinea-Bissau
Learning that a loved one has died in Guinea-Bissau is a serious situation that requires prompt, coordinated action. Guinea-Bissau has no resident UK diplomatic presence. The British Embassy in Dakar, Senegal holds non-resident consular responsibility for British nationals who die there. Distance, limited institutional capacity, and Portuguese-language documentation mean that acting quickly and engaging the right professional support makes a significant difference to outcomes.
Your First Calls
1. Contact the FCDO The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office operates a 24-hour emergency line: 020 7008 5000. Call as soon as you are able. The FCDO will confirm consular coverage and connect you with the British Embassy in Dakar.
2. Contact the British Embassy, Dakar The British Embassy in Dakar, Senegal holds non-resident consular responsibility for Guinea-Bissau. Tel: +221 33 823 7392.
3. Contact a specialist repatriation firm Given the absence of a resident UK diplomat in Bissau, engaging a specialist immediately is the most important step. A repatriation firm will handle local documentation, coordinate with Bissau authorities, arrange embalming and storage, and manage transport logistics.
4. Contact your travel insurer If the deceased had travel insurance, notify the insurer as early as possible. Most policies require prompt notification. The insurer may appoint their own assistance company, or may work with a repatriation firm you have already engaged.
Local Authorities and Documentation
In Guinea-Bissau, death certification is handled by the Conservatória do Registo Civil (Civil Registry) in the relevant district. The Polícia Judiciária is the relevant authority if there is any question of unnatural or unexplained death.
The export of human remains requires an export permit issued by the Ministério da Administração Territorial. This requires the death certificate, embalming certificate, and freedom from infection certificate to be in place first.
All documentation is in Portuguese. Certified English translations are required before UK authorities will accept any documents.
Document Checklist
| Document | Issued By | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate (certidão de óbito) | Conservatória do Registo Civil | Portuguese: requires certified translation |
| Embalming certificate | Licensed local mortuary | Required for international transport |
| Freedom from infection certificate | Ministry of Health | Required for export |
| Export permit | Ministério da Administração Territorial | Issued after death cert and health cert |
| Consular death registration | British Embassy, Dakar | Needed for UK death registration |
| UK Coroner’s permission | HM Coroner, UK | Required if death is referred to Coroner |
Death in a Remote or Border Area
Deaths near the Senegalese Casamance border or the eastern border with Guinea present additional challenges. Access may be restricted and local authority capacity limited. A specialist repatriation firm with experience in the region is essential in these circumstances; attempting to coordinate directly with local authorities from the UK is not realistic.
Costs and Travel Insurance
Repatriation from Guinea-Bissau involves specialist embalming, local transport, documentation, and air freight. These costs are substantial. Travel insurance with repatriation cover is designed to meet these costs. If the deceased had no insurance, the FCDO can provide guidance but cannot fund repatriation: costs fall to the family.
Contact the repatriation firm directly for current cost guidance. We do not publish price estimates on this site as costs vary significantly by case.
After Repatriation: UK Death Registration
Once the body has been returned to the UK, the death must be registered with the local registrar. If the death is referred to an HM Coroner, a post-mortem or inquest may be required before the body is released for burial or cremation. The British Embassy in Dakar will issue a consular death registration that supports the UK process.
Further Reading
- Repatriation from Guinea-Bissau to the UK: full process guide
- What happens when someone dies abroad: overview of the full repatriation process
- Bringing ashes home from Guinea-Bissau: if cremation abroad is being considered
Sources: FCDO Consular Services guidance.
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 Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau 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 | Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau
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 Guinea-Bissau to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
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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 .
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from Guinea-Bissau · Frequently asked questions