Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Réunion
This guide explains what happens after a death in Réunion, 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 Réunion
Réunion is an overseas department and region of France in the Indian Ocean. It is legally part of France, French civil law applies in full and documentation is in French. The island has an active volcano (Piton de la Fournaise) in the south-east and a documented shark attack risk on unprotected beaches. Both may be relevant to circumstances of death.
Call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 immediately: this 24-hour line connects you to consular staff. The British Embassy Paris (+33 1 44 51 31 00) handles Réunion on a non-resident basis.
Step 1: Notify the FCDO and Local Authorities
The attending physician or hospital certifies the death. Deaths are registered with the mairie of the commune where the death occurred. Non-natural deaths require clearance from the Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale before funeral arrangements proceed.
For deaths involving the volcano exclusion zone or shark incident, additional investigation by the relevant authorities (Préfecture, ICAD shark unit) will apply. Do not rush the process.
Register the death with the British Embassy, Paris.
Step 2: Obtain the Death Certificate and Translation
The mairie issues an acte de décès in French. A certified English translation is required for the UK Coroner.
Step 3: Prepare the Documentation
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Acte de décès + certified English translation | UK Coroner and border requirements |
| Gendarmerie/Police clearance | Required for non-natural deaths |
| Certificat d’embaumement | International air transport requirement |
| Certificat de non-contagion | Customs and quarantine |
| Autorisation de sortie du territoire | Export permit |
| Consular registration | British Embassy, Paris |
| UK Coroner import permission | Required before the body enters the UK |
Step 4: Arrange the Flight
Direct Air France flights from Roland Garros Airport (RUN) near Saint-Denis to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), approximately 11 hours. UK connections from CDG are frequent.
Step 5: Repatriation to the UK
On arrival in the UK, the body is received by a registered UK funeral director after UK Coroner confirmation.
For further guidance, read what happens when someone dies abroad or contact us directly.
Sources: French civil registration system (Code civil); FCDO Consular Services Overview; British Embassy Paris; Préfecture de La Réunion.
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 Réunion 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 Réunion 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 Réunion 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 | Réunion 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 Réunion
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 Réunion 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 Réunion · Frequently asked questions