Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Egypt to the United Kingdom
For families bringing someone home to the United Kingdom. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Key facts
Repatriation from Egypt to the UK: 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.
- British Embassy in Cairo registers the death and advises. They cannot fund repatriation.
- Post-mortem required by the niyaba for all unnatural, sudden, or suspicious deaths.
The process
How repatriation from Egypt works
Contact police (122) or ambulance (123). All deaths of foreign nationals require police attendance. Contact the British Embassy in Cairo. 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 the United Kingdom
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
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
British 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
Once all documentation complete and cleared.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
UK funeral director takes custody. Coroner notified.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In United Kingdom
When the body arrives in the United Kingdom
The UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All Egyptian documentation must be in certified English translation. The coroner for the district is notified. Straightforward cases with complete documentation proceed to funeral arrangements.
Consular support
FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000. The FCDO can provide information and a list of local funeral directors. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Egypt to the United Kingdom
In a straightforward tourist-area case, repatriation from Egypt to the UK 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 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 British Embassy in Cairo can register the death with UK authorities, provide a list of local funeral directors, and advise on documentation. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
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 UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All Egyptian documentation must be in certified English translation. The coroner for the district is notified. Straightforward cases proceed directly to funeral arrangements.
Egypt has no cremation facilities. All repatriations from Egypt are full body repatriations. Cremation in Egypt is not available 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 the United Kingdom.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO: When someone dies in Egypt · Egypt repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions