Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Guinea
This guide explains what happens after a death in Guinea, 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.
Guinea has been under military rule since September 2021, when Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya and the CNRD (Comité National du Rassemblement et du Développement) seized power. The junta controls all government institutions. There is no resident British Embassy: consular coverage comes from the British High Commission in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
This guide covers the Republic of Guinea (capital Conakry). It does not cover Guinea-Bissau or Equatorial Guinea, which are separate countries.
First step
Call the FCDO Emergency Travel Line: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). British High Commission Freetown, Sierra Leone: +232 22 232 961.
Check current FCDO travel advice for Guinea before travelling.
British High Commission Freetown: non-resident coverage
No British Embassy in Guinea. All consular services come from the British High Commission in Freetown. The High Commission registers the death for UK purposes and advises on current local processing channels.
Civil registration
Guinea operates French civil law. The attending physician certifies cause of death in French. The état civil (civil status office) issues the acte de décès (death certificate) in French.
For non-natural deaths, the Gendarmerie Nationale must attend and issue clearance. The Tribunal de Première Instance issues judicial clearance where a magistrate review is required. Allow 7 to 14 days for this stage for straightforward cases in Conakry.
Ministry of Health export permit
Once civil registration and Gendarmerie clearance are complete, the Ministry of Health issues the export permit. A licensed funeral director embalms and prepares the body. All documents require certified English translation.
Document checklist
| Document | Language | Issuer |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate (acte de décès) | French | État civil |
| Medical certificate | French | Attending physician |
| Gendarmerie clearance | French | Gendarmerie Nationale |
| Tribunal de Première Instance order | French | Examining magistrate |
| Ministry of Health export permit | French | Ministry of Health |
| Certified translations | English | Certified translator |
Routing
Conakry-Gbessia International Airport (CKY):
- Air France to Paris CDG: primary UK cargo route
- Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca (CMN)
- Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa (ADD)
- Brussels Airlines via Brussels
Air France has maintained Conakry service through the post-coup period and is the most reliable route.
Forested region: elevated risk
The N’Zérékoré forested region in southeastern Guinea experiences periodic inter-communal violence. Confirm current security conditions before committing to any timeline for cases in this area.
What to do first
FCDO: 020 7008 5000. British High Commission Freetown: +232 22 232 961.
Engage a specialist firm with West African Francophone experience. All French documentation must be certified into English before UK authorities can act on it.
Sources: UK FCDO Guinea travel advice (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guinea, updated 2024); British High Commission Freetown.
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 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 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 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 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
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 to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
Send an enquiryTell us what has happened in Guinea
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 Guinea
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 Guinea · Frequently asked questions