Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Rwanda
This guide explains what happens after a death in Rwanda, 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.
Typical timeline
21-28 days
FCDO 24hr helpline
+44 (0)20 7008 5000
Rwanda is a challenging repatriation origin. The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) process is thorough but time-consuming, there are no direct UK flights, and mortuary capacity outside Kigali is limited. Gorilla trekking deaths in Volcanoes National Park add a national park authority step not present in urban settings.
Step 1: Notify the British High Commission Kigali
Address: Parcelle 1131, Boulevard de l’Umuganda, Kacyiru, Kigali. Phone: +250 252 556 000. FCDO 24-hour emergency: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
Rwanda is a Commonwealth member (admitted 2009). The British High Commission Kigali handles consular repatriation matters.
Step 2: CRVS death registration
Deaths in Rwanda are registered through the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system. The attending doctor certifies cause of death. Hospital deaths in Kigali register through Kigali health authorities; deaths in rural areas or national parks register through local sector offices.
Step 3: Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) for unnatural deaths
For unnatural, violent, or unexplained deaths, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau investigates. The RIB replaced the former Criminal Investigation Department as the primary investigative authority. The RIB process includes ordering a post-mortem at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) and authorising release. Allow 14 to 21 days for RIB process completion in straightforward cases.
Step 4: Gorilla trekking and national park deaths
Deaths in Volcanoes National Park require the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) to be notified and to certify what occurred before the RIB can begin its investigation. This applies to all deaths in any Rwandan national park including Akagera and Nyungwe Forest. The RDB step adds one to three days before the RIB investigation begins.
Deaths during gorilla trekking in Bwindi (Uganda) versus Volcanoes (Rwanda) are handled by entirely different authorities. Confirm which park the trekking took place in.
Step 5: Rwanda Biomedical Centre export permit
The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (under the Ministry of Health) issues the export permit. Required documents: CRVS death certificate, RIB release authorisation, CHUK post-mortem report (if conducted), embalming certificate, freedom from contagious disease clearance. Allow five to seven working days for the permit.
Step 6: Routing via Nairobi or Doha
Rwanda has no direct UK flights. RwandAir connects Kigali International Airport (KGL) to Nairobi (KQ connections to Heathrow) and Qatar Airways connects to Doha (QR connections to Heathrow). Your specialist will advise on current schedules. Source: FCDO guidance on death in Rwanda; Rwanda Investigation Bureau procedures; British High Commission Kigali consular guidance (2023); Rwanda Development Board national park operational procedures.
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 Rwanda 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 Rwanda 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?
Factors that can extend the timeline
- Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) investigation required for unnatural deaths
- No direct UK flights; routing via Nairobi, Doha, or Addis Ababa adds transit time
- Deaths in Volcanoes National Park require Rwanda Development Board (RDB) involvement
- Limited specialist mortuary capacity outside Kigali
Cost guide
What affects the cost?
Nobody publishes a reliable figure for Rwanda 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 | Rwanda 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 Rwanda
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 Rwanda to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
Send an enquiryTell us what has happened in Rwanda
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 Rwanda
Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.
- Funeral directors, for arranging local care and preparation
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from Rwanda · Frequently asked questions