How do you bring a loved one home from the Dominican Republic?

First 24 hours

What should happen in the first 24 hours after a death in the Dominican Republic?

Contact emergency services (911). Hotel/resort staff will usually assist. Contact British Embassy (nearest full embassy may be in Washington or regional consular network).

The most important step is to contact a specialist repatriation company. They will tell you exactly what to do and begin coordinating with local authorities on your behalf.

Timeline

How long does repatriation from the Dominican Republic take?

In most cases, repatriation from the Dominican Republic takes 10-21 days. The fastest straightforward cases complete in 7-10 days. Complex cases involving a post-mortem, criminal investigation, or a remote location can extend to 3-6 weeks or beyond.

What makes a case complex?

• INACIF investigation
• Limited consular infrastructure
• Connection routing delays
• Holiday period closures

Documentation

What documents are required to bring a body home from the Dominican Republic?

All of these documents must be in place before air transport can proceed. Your appointed repatriation coordinator will obtain most of them.

• Acta de Defuncion
• Embalming certificate
• Freedom from infection
• Passport
• Apostille

Documentation typically takes 5-10 days to complete.

British Embassy

What does the British Embassy in the Dominican Republic do when someone dies?

For British nationals, the British Embassy provides consular assistance, which includes giving you a list of local funeral directors, helping you notify relatives, and advising on local procedures. What the Embassy cannot do is pay for repatriation, organise the funeral director, or make arrangements on your behalf. If your loved one was a citizen of another country, contact that country's embassy or consulate instead.

Alternative option

Can ashes be brought home from the Dominican Republic instead of a full body?

Yes, cremation facilities are available in the Dominican Republic. Transporting ashes home requires specific documents and must comply with airline regulations.

Yes with documentation via connecting flights.

Getting started

How do you start the repatriation process from the Dominican Republic?

Call a specialist repatriation company. Do not wait until all other steps are complete. A specialist can begin the process immediately, even before the local death certificate has been issued.

You will need to provide: the name of the deceased, the location of the body, your contact details, and the name and contact of the local hospital or authority holding the body.