Funeral repatriation guidance
Repatriation from Morocco
Bringing your loved one home from Morocco, wherever home is. Where the rules at the receiving end matter, this guide uses the UK as the example and says so.
Bringing someone home to a particular country? Find the guide for your route or send us the details. We arrange repatriation to any country.
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Repatriation from Morocco: costs and timeline
Morocco is one of the lower-cost and faster international repatriation cases. Casablanca is the main cargo hub, with direct flights to London. Most straightforward cases complete within 7 to 14 days, and total costs are among the lowest for non-European repatriation.
- Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country, and Islamic law requires burial within 24 hours. When a family wishes to repatriate to the UK, early contact with the British Embassy in Rabat helps establish the legal position and documentation requirements quickly.
- Documentation involves the Moroccan civil registry, health authority clearance, and a laissez-passer for the body. The process is well-established in Casablanca and Marrakech, which handle the most international cases.
Marrakech and Agadir tourist cases typically route cargo via Casablanca. This is standard practice and does not significantly extend the timeline.
Process verified September 2026, how we verify
Step by step
The repatriation process from Morocco
Here is what happens after a death in Morocco, and what you or your appointed coordinator needs to do at each stage.
Immediate steps after death
Contact police (15) or ambulance (150). Hospital or doctor certifies death. Contact British Embassy Rabat.
Death registration and certificate
Death certificate (Acte de Deces) from local civil registry (Bureau d'Etat Civil). French/Arabic documentation.
Embassy notification
British Embassy Rabat or consulate in Casablanca.
Embalming
Embalming available in major cities. Islamic tradition generally opposes embalming but it is performed for international repatriation.
Coffin requirements
Zinc-lined coffin for air transport. Available from funeral directors in main cities.
Documentation
5 documents required. Typically takes 3-7 days to complete.
Air transport
Royal Air Maroc (RAM) direct to London. Also Ryanair/easyJet connections (no cargo). Short flight.
Reception at home
For the UK, standard reception at Heathrow or Gatwick.
What you will need
Documents required for repatriation from Morocco
The following documents must be obtained before your loved one can leave Morocco. Your local funeral director will help gather most of these. The country you are bringing them home to may ask for certified translations or extra permits; we check those for your case.
- Acte de Deces
- Embalming certificate
- Freedom from infection
- Consular certificate
- Passport
Documentation typically takes 3-7 days to complete.
We handle the paperwork
Our team coordinates with local funeral directors in Morocco to ensure all documentation is obtained correctly and on time.
What to expect
How long does repatriation from Morocco take?
Timelines vary depending on the circumstances of the death and the speed of local authorities. Here is a realistic guide.
Best case
5-7 days
Natural death, straightforward documentation, no post-mortem required.
Typical case
7-14 days
Most repatriations from Morocco fall within this range.
Complex case
2-4 weeks
Post-mortem, inquest, criminal investigation, or remote location involved.
Factors that can extend the timeline
- Rural locations
- Arabic documentation translation
- Friday/Saturday closures
Cost
What does repatriation from Morocco cost?
Every case is different, so we do not quote a figure until we know the details. Repatriation firms publish typical ranges, which we set out with their sources and dates on our cost page. Send us the details for a figure for your case, with no obligation.
What the cost depends on
- Whether a post-mortem or inquest is required
- Distance and location, including island or remote transfers
- Documentation and certification needed for Morocco
- Whether travel insurance covers repatriation
- Air freight availability and timing
Travel insurance with repatriation cover often meets the full cost. Without insurance, the family is responsible for costs directly; the embassy and consulate cannot pay repatriation expenses. How we verify our information.
Travel insurance
Check whether your policy, or the deceased's policy, includes repatriation cover. If it does, the insurer typically appoints and funds the funeral director directly.
Official support
British Embassy and consulates in Morocco
For British nationals, the British Embassy can provide assistance and information, but cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact them as early as possible. If your loved one was a citizen of another country, contact that country's embassy or consulate instead.
British Embassy, Rabat
Cultural context
Cultural considerations in Morocco
IMPORTANT: Significant reverse repatriation market. British Moroccan community may want to send deceased TO Morocco for Islamic burial. This is a key content angle.
Local customs to be aware of
- Islamic burial customs: washing (ghusl), shrouding (kafan), burial facing Mecca
- Cremation not practiced
- Simple white shroud, no coffin for local burial (coffin needed for transport)
- Mourning period (iddah) observed
Just found out? Start here
If a death in Morocco has just occurred and you are not sure what to do first, our step-by-step guide explains everything from the first call through to bringing your loved one home.
What to do if someone dies in MoroccoCity guides
Repatriation from specific cities in Morocco
For more specific guidance based on where the death occurred, see our city-level guides.
Route guides
Repatriation routes from Morocco
Each route guide covers the documentation, timeline and process for one corridor from Morocco, written for the family at the receiving end.
Alternative option
Cremation in Morocco and ashes transport
Some families choose cremation in Morocco and arrange for ashes to be returned home. This is often simpler and less costly than full body repatriation.
Already have ashes?
Bringing ashes home from Morocco: documents and airline rules
Cost
Cremation and ashes return costs depend on your circumstances. We send a written quote once we have the details.
Ask about ashes transportWe are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has passed away in Morocco, please do not face this alone. Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing them home, wherever home is.
Thank you. We have received your enquiry and will respond within one hour.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Process verified September 2026. How we verify information.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Full guide: what to do if someone dies in Morocco · Frequently asked questions