Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in The Gambia
This guide explains what happens after a death in The Gambia, 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
14 to 21 days
FCDO 24hr helpline
+44 (0)20 7008 5000
When Someone Dies in The Gambia
The Gambia is one of the more manageable West African repatriation destinations for UK families. English is the official language. The British High Commission is resident in Banjul. Documentation is in English throughout. Direct charter flights operate to UK airports during the tourist season.
Most British deaths occur in coastal hotels on the Senegambia strip south of Banjul. Cardiac events in older package holiday tourists are the most common cause. Road accidents on the South Bank Road, drownings in hotel pools, and deaths following illness are also regular presentations.
Step 1: Immediate Notifications
- British High Commission Banjul: first consular contact.
- FCDO Emergency Travel Line: 020 7008 5000 (available 24 hours).
- Your travel insurer: if the deceased had travel insurance, notify them immediately.
- Appoint a specialist UK repatriation company.
Step 2: Natural Death in a Coastal Hotel
For a natural death in a hotel (which is the majority of cases) the hotel management will usually contact local police as a matter of procedure. A local doctor or the hotel doctor certifies the death.
The body goes to Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) in Banjul for formal certification if there is any doubt about cause of death, or if the family’s insurance requires a post-mortem. EFSTH is the national referral hospital and has the only forensic pathology capacity in the country. Its resources are limited, and complex cases take time.
The death is then registered at the local civil registry and a Gambian death certificate issued.
Step 3: Unnatural Deaths and the Coroner
All unnatural deaths (accidents, drownings, sudden deaths without a doctor in attendance) go to the coroner. A coroner’s inquest is required before the body can be released. This adds 3 to 5 weeks to the process.
The repatriation company and the British High Commission monitor the coroner’s timeline.
Step 4: Upcountry Deaths
Deaths in the Central River Region, Upper River Region, or North Bank Region involve slow road transfer to Banjul. The country’s road network is basic outside the coastal zone, and the Gambia River ferry crossing adds further delay for North Bank cases. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for upcountry deaths.
Step 5: Documentation
- Death certificate from the local civil registry.
- Police report (unnatural deaths).
- Coroner’s release order (unnatural deaths).
- Post-mortem report from EFSTH.
- Ministry of Health export permit.
- Embalming certificate to IATA standards.
All documentation is in English.
Step 6: Cargo Routing
Banjul International Airport (BJL) receives direct UK charter flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Gatwick, and Bristol during the tourist season (November to April). Outside peak season, some consignments route via Dakar (DSS) in Senegal. The repatriation company handles cargo booking.
A Note on Cremation
The Gambia is a Muslim-majority country. Cremation is not widely available and is not compatible with Islamic burial practice. UK families who had intended cremation should discuss the practicalities with the repatriation company before committing to that option.
Further Information
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 The Gambia 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 The Gambia 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
- Upcountry deaths with limited road access to Banjul
- Unnatural death requiring coroner inquest
- Delayed documentation from EFSTH
Cost guide
What affects the cost?
Nobody publishes a reliable figure for The Gambia 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 | The Gambia 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 The Gambia
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 The Gambia to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
Send an enquiryTell us what has happened in The Gambia
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 The Gambia
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 The Gambia · Frequently asked questions