Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Paraguay
This guide explains what happens after a death in Paraguay, 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 Paraguay
A death in Paraguay requires Spanish civil law documentation through the Dirección General del Registro Civil, an export permit from the Ministerio del Interior, and coordination with the non-resident British Embassy in Buenos Aires. Paraguay’s civil registration system is generally efficient in Asunción. Remote Chaco cases require specialist logistics. Cremation is available in Asunción if required.
Your First Calls
1. Contact the FCDO Call the FCDO’s 24-hour emergency line: 020 7008 5000. They will advise on consular coverage.
2. Contact the British Embassy, Buenos Aires The British Embassy in Buenos Aires provides non-resident consular services for Paraguay. Tel: +54 11 4808 2200.
3. Engage a specialist repatriation firm A specialist firm handles documentation, mortuary logistics, export permits, and cargo arrangements to the UK.
4. Notify your travel insurer Notify as early as possible. Most policies require prompt notification.
Local Authorities and Documentation
Death registration in Paraguay is managed by the Dirección General del Registro Civil del Estado Civil de las Personas. The Ministerio del Interior issues the export permit after death certification and health documentation are complete.
In Asunción and the main eastern population centres, the process follows a clear and predictable path. In the western Chaco region, provincial registry offices handle documentation: timelines may be extended due to distance and limited staff.
Cremation Option
Cremation is available in Asunción. If the family prefers cremation to full-body repatriation, this can be arranged in-country. Certified ashes can then be repatriated to the UK. Discuss this option with your specialist firm early in the process to ensure the correct documentation pathway is followed. See our guide to bringing ashes home from Paraguay for details.
Document Checklist
| Document | Issued By | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificado de defunción (death certificate) | Dirección General del Registro Civil | Spanish: requires certified translation |
| Embalming certificate | Licensed local mortuary | Required for full-body repatriation |
| Freedom from infection certificate | Ministry of Health | Required before export permit |
| Export permit | Ministerio del Interior | Issued after preceding documents |
| Consular death registration | British Embassy, Buenos Aires | Required for UK death registration |
| UK Coroner’s permission | HM Coroner, UK | If death is referred to Coroner |
If cremation in-country: cremation certificate and ashes export documentation replace the body transport documents.
Remote Areas: The Chaco
The western Chaco accounts for roughly 60% of Paraguay’s land area but a small fraction of its population. Infrastructure is very limited. Deaths in the Chaco require specialist ground logistics (sometimes involving charter aircraft or off-road vehicles) before documentation can begin. Factor this into timeline expectations.
Routing to the UK
From Asunción’s Silvio Pettirossi International Airport (ASU):
- Via Buenos Aires: Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM, most common routing with UK connections from Buenos Aires Ezeiza
- Via São Paulo: LATAM with European connections from São Paulo Guarulhos
After Repatriation: UK Death Registration
The consular death registration from Buenos Aires, together with the certified translated Paraguayan death certificate, supports UK death registration. If HM Coroner becomes involved, post-mortem or inquest may follow before the body is released.
Further Reading
- Repatriation from Paraguay to the UK: full country process guide
- What happens when someone dies abroad: overview of the full process
- Bringing ashes home from Paraguay: if cremation in Paraguay is being considered
Sources: FCDO guidance: Paraguay bereavement: death abroad; 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 Paraguay 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 Paraguay 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 Paraguay 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 | Paraguay 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 Paraguay
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
View full guideSend us the details
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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 Paraguay · Frequently asked questions