Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Mauritania
This guide explains what happens after a death in Mauritania, 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.
Mauritania is a vast Saharan republic on the Atlantic coast. The capital Nouakchott sits by the ocean; the rest of the country stretches east into the Sahara. There is no resident British Embassy: consular coverage comes from the British Embassy in Rabat, Morocco. Documentation is in Arabic and French.
The country is almost entirely Sunni Muslim. Islamic burial pressure is strong: the first 24 hours are critical if repatriation is the goal.
First step
Call the FCDO Emergency Travel Line: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). British Embassy Rabat, Morocco: +212 537 633 333.
FCDO advises against all travel to the Saharan interior and all but essential travel to areas near the Mali border.
British Embassy Rabat: non-resident coverage
No British Embassy in Mauritania. All consular services come from the British Embassy in Rabat, Morocco. The Embassy registers the death for UK purposes and provides guidance on Mauritanian administrative channels.
Islamic burial: act immediately
Mauritania is almost entirely Sunni Muslim. Local custom favours burial within 24 hours. Any family intending repatriation must communicate that intent clearly and promptly: through the Embassy and through local contacts on the ground. Delay in asserting this is the single biggest risk in Mauritanian cases.
Civil registration
Mauritania uses French civil law for formal administrative purposes, supplemented by Islamic personal status law. The état civil issues the death certificate (acte de décès) primarily in Arabic, with French also used in formal contexts.
The attending physician certifies cause of death. For non-natural deaths, the Police Nationale must attend and issue clearance, and the Parquet (public prosecutor) issues judicial clearance.
Ministry of Health export permit
Once civil registration and police clearance are in hand, the Ministry of Health issues the export permit. A licensed funeral director embalms and prepares the body. All Arabic and French documents require certified English translation.
Document checklist
| Document | Language | Issuer |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate (acte de décès) | Arabic/French | État civil |
| Medical certificate | French | Attending physician |
| Police Nationale clearance | Arabic/French | Police Nationale |
| Parquet judicial clearance | French | Public prosecutor |
| Ministry of Health export permit | French | Ministry of Health |
| Certified translations | English | Certified translator |
Routing
Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC):
- Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca (CMN): primary UK cargo route
- Turkish Airlines to Istanbul (IST)
Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca is the most reliable pathway for UK-bound cargo from Nouakchott.
Saharan interior: not accessible
FCDO advises against all travel to the Saharan interior due to kidnap risk (AQIM and affiliated groups). Body recovery from interior desert areas is not achievable.
What to do first
FCDO: 020 7008 5000. British Embassy Rabat: +212 537 633 333.
Assert repatriation intent immediately through local contacts. Engage a specialist firm with Arabic-language documentation capability and North/West African experience. Non-resident Embassy coordination via Rabat requires advance preparation of documents.
Sources: UK FCDO Mauritania travel advice (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mauritania, updated 2024); British Embassy Rabat.
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 Mauritania 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 Mauritania 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 Mauritania 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 | Mauritania 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 Mauritania
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
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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 Mauritania · Frequently asked questions