Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Eritrea to Denmark
For families bringing someone home to Denmark. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from Eritrea to Denmark: what to expect
Eritrean nationals form one of Denmark's larger East African diaspora communities, with many having arrived as refugees through the Red Sea and Mediterranean routes over two decades. Denmark accepted Eritrean humanitarian cases, and the Eritrean community is established in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and other cities. Tigrinya documentation from Eritrea requires certified Danish translation for Danish civil registry purposes. The Danish Embassy covers Eritrea from Addis Ababa. (Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
- Key document: Death certificate (requires certified English translation)
- Documentation takes 14-28 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Eritrea has significant bureaucratic requirements and limited infrastructure; timelines are longer than most countries.
- All Tigrinya or Arabic-language documentation requires certified English translation for Denmark acceptance.
Step by step
Timeline: Eritrea to Denmark
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country (citizens of Denmark: +45 33 92 00 00).
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Death certificate (requires certified English translation) obtained.
Death must be registered with the Civil registration office. Police and local authorities may be involved.
Local funeral director and registry
Denmark Embassy in Addis Ababa notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation and permits obtained.
Allow 14-28 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Denmark
Once all documentation complete. Denmark cargo terminal
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Denmark funeral director takes custody. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
The process
What happens after a death in Eritrea
Repatriation from Eritrea begins at the local level: contacting the emergency services on 113, then registering the death with the Civil registration office and obtaining a certified local death certificate, which usually takes 14-28 days. A death that is violent, suspicious or unexplained falls under the jurisdiction of the Police and local authorities, which may require a post-mortem first. With the paperwork complete, the body is embalmed, sealed in a zinc-lined coffin, and cleared for export before being flown to Denmark as air cargo. A funeral director in Denmark then takes custody. The full process most often takes 3-6 weeks.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Eritrea to Denmark
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Eritrea to Denmark takes 3-6 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 2-4 weeks. Complex cases can take 2-4 months or longer.
Eritrea has significant bureaucratic requirements and limited infrastructure; timelines are longer than most countries.
The core documents are: Death certificate (certified English translation required), Police clearance (for unnatural deaths), Embalming certificate, Export permit, Freedom from infection certificate. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The Denmark Embassy in Addis Ababa can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Denmark Embassy in Addis Ababa as soon as possible after the death.
Violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths require a post-mortem, which adds time. The body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Danish begravelsesforretning takes custody at Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH) cargo terminal. A ligfølgebrev must accompany the remains. The civil registry records the death. Documents not in Danish or English require certified Danish translation. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Cremation is not widely available in Eritrea. Full body repatriation is the standard approach.
In Denmark
When the body arrives in Denmark
The Danish begravelsesforretning (funeral director) takes custody at Copenhagen Kastrup (CPH) cargo terminal. A ligfølgebrev (body transit certificate) must accompany the remains. The civil registry records the death. Denmark is an EU and Hague Apostille Convention member. Documents not in Danish, English, or another major European language require certified Danish translation. (Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
Consular support
Danish Embassy in Addis Ababa can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Denmark. Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emergency line: +45 33 92 00 00 (24 hours). The Danish Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Eritrea, 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 Denmark.
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 Eritrea (gov.uk) · Eritrea repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions