Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Togo
This guide explains what happens after a death in Togo, 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 Togo
A death in Togo requires working through French civil law documentation, obtaining Parquet clearance, and coordinating with the non-resident British High Commission in Accra. For deaths in the Savanes region bordering Burkina Faso, FCDO travel advice applies and logistics require specialist handling.
Your First Calls
1. Contact the FCDO Call the FCDO’s 24-hour emergency line: 020 7008 5000. They will confirm consular arrangements and advise on next steps.
2. Contact the British High Commission, Accra The British High Commission in Accra, Ghana provides non-resident consular services for Togo. Tel: +233 302 213 250.
3. Engage a specialist repatriation firm A specialist firm handles all local coordination: mortuary arrangements, French-language documentation, Parquet clearance, export permits, and cargo logistics.
4. Notify your travel insurer Most travel insurance policies require prompt notification of a death. Do this as soon as you are able.
Local Authorities and the Legal Process
Death in Togo is certified by the Tribunal de Première Instance in the relevant district. Before export is authorised, the Parquet must confirm no criminal investigation is pending and issue formal clearance. The export permit is issued by the Ministère de l’Intérieur once all documentation is complete.
In Lomé and major towns, this process is relatively simple. In rural areas and northern regions, documentation infrastructure is weaker and processes take longer.
Document Checklist
| Document | Issued By | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acte de décès (death certificate) | Tribunal de Première Instance | French: requires certified translation |
| Parquet clearance | Parquet du Tribunal | Required before export |
| Embalming certificate | Licensed local mortuary | Required for international transport |
| Freedom from infection certificate | Ministry of Health | Required for export |
| Export permit | Ministère de l’Intérieur | Issued after preceding documents complete |
| Consular death registration | British High Commission, Accra | Required for UK death registration |
| UK Coroner’s permission | HM Coroner, UK | If death is referred to Coroner |
Security: Deaths in the Savanes Region
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Savanes region of northern Togo, which borders Burkina Faso. Armed groups have carried out attacks in this area and the security situation is unpredictable. Deaths here may require coordination with Togolese security forces before ground logistics can begin. Timeline extensions of several weeks are realistic in active incident areas.
Costs and Travel Insurance
Repatriation from Togo involves embalming, local transport, documentation, and air cargo from Lomé. Travel insurance with repatriation cover is designed to meet these costs. Where no insurance exists, costs fall to the family. Detailed cost guidance is available from a specialist firm.
After Repatriation: UK Death Registration
The consular death registration from Accra, together with the translated Togolese death certificate, supports UK death registration. If the case is referred to an HM Coroner, post-mortem or inquest may follow before the body is released.
Further Reading
- Repatriation from Togo to the UK: full country process guide
- What happens when someone dies abroad: overview of the full repatriation process
- Bringing ashes home from Togo: if cremation abroad is being considered
Sources: FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Togo; 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 Togo 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 Togo 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 Togo 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 | Togo 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 Togo
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 Togo · Frequently asked questions