Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Egypt to Ireland
For families bringing someone home to Ireland. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from Egypt to Ireland: what to expect
Repatriation from Egypt runs through the niyaba (public prosecutor) for unexpected deaths. Documentation is in Arabic only and requires certified translation. Typical timeline: 14-28 days.
- Key documents: Egyptian death certificate (in Arabic) and certified English translation
- Documentation takes 7-14 days in tourist areas. Longer in Cairo.
- Post-mortem required by the niyaba for all unnatural, sudden, or suspicious deaths.
- No cremation facilities in Egypt. All repatriations are full body.
The process
How repatriation from Egypt works
Contact police (122) or ambulance (123). All deaths of foreign nationals require police attendance. Death registered at the local health office. In tourist areas such as Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, the process is generally simpler than in Cairo.
Step by step
Timeline: Egypt to Ireland
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Irish Embassy Cairo: via Dept of Foreign Affairs +353 1 408 2000.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered at local health office or civil registry
In tourist areas, 3-5 days. Cairo and non-tourist areas take longer.
Local funeral director and registry
Irish Embassy Cairo notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation
Embalming required for international repatriation. Quality variable outside Cairo.
Licensed local funeral director
Export documentation completed: MOFA stamp, all permits obtained
Allow 7-14 days in tourist areas. Cannot begin until niyaba releases body.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to Dublin (DUB)
Once all documentation complete and cleared.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Irish funeral director takes custody. Coroner notified.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In Ireland
When the body arrives in Ireland
The Irish funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All Egyptian documentation must be in certified English translation. The Coroner is involved only where the death abroad was unnatural, and may then order a post-mortem. Straightforward cases proceed to funeral arrangements.
Consular support
Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line: +353 1 408 2000. The Irish Embassy in Cairo can register the death and advise.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Egypt to Ireland
In a straightforward tourist-area case, repatriation from Egypt to Ireland takes 7-14 days. Most cases take 14-28 days once the niyaba investigation is factored in. Complex cases or deaths outside tourist zones can take 6-12 weeks.
The niyaba (Egyptian public prosecutor) orders a post-mortem for all unnatural, sudden, violent, or suspicious deaths. This applies routinely to foreign national deaths. It adds time: typically 2-6 weeks. The body cannot be released until the niyaba issues authorisation.
The core documents are: Egyptian death certificate (in Arabic), certified English translation, MOFA attestation stamp, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, police clearance, and passport of the deceased.
The Irish Embassy in Cairo can register the death with Irish authorities, provide a list of local funeral directors, and advise on documentation. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line: +353 1 408 2000.
The Irish funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All Egyptian documentation must be in certified English translation. The Coroner is involved only where the death abroad was unnatural, and may then order a post-mortem.
Egypt has no cremation facilities. All repatriations from Egypt are full body repatriations, regardless of religion or preference.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Egypt, 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 to Ireland.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: Official guidance on a death in Egypt (gov.uk) · Egypt repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions