Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from France to Colombia
For families bringing someone home to Colombia. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Key facts
Repatriation from France to Colombia: what to expect
France and Colombia maintain bilateral ties through trade and cultural partnerships, and a Colombian community is established in Paris. The Colombian Embassy in Paris is fully operational. When a Colombian national dies in France and their family wishes to repatriate remains to Colombia, the death is registered with the local mairie (town hall). El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota is the main receiving airport. Both France and Colombia are Hague Apostille Convention members, which simplifies document authentication. The acte de deces requires certified Spanish translation for Colombian authorities. (Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025; French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
- Key document: acte de deces (death certificate) (in French)
- Documentation takes 3-5 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Death must be registered with the local mairie (town hall) civil registry promptly.
- Colombia Embassy in Paris can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in France
Call 17 for police, 15 for ambulance, or 112 for the EU emergency number. Death is certified by a physician. The acte de deces is registered with the local mairie (town hall). The Procureur de la Republique (public prosecutor) takes jurisdiction for violent or unexplained deaths. France is an EU member and Hague Apostille Convention member.
Step by step
Timeline: France to Colombia
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 17 (police) / 15 (ambulance) / 112 (EU emergency) for local emergency services, and contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Acte de deces (death certificate) obtained.
Death must be registered with the local mairie (town hall) civil registry. Violent or unexplained deaths (Procureur de la Republique) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
Colombia Embassy in Paris 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 3-5 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Colombia
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Colombia funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In Colombia
When the body arrives in Colombia
The Colombian funeral director takes custody at El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota, Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE) near Medellin, or Alfonso Bonilla Aragon International Airport (CLO) in Cali, depending on the final destination. The Registraduria Nacional del Estado Civil handles civil registration. For violent or unexplained deaths, the Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses (National Institute of Legal Medicine, commonly called Medicina Legal) takes jurisdiction before the body can be released; this adds time. Colombia is a Hague Apostille Convention member; apostille certificates from member states are accepted. All documents must be in Spanish or accompanied by a certified Spanish translation. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport. (Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
Consular support
The Colombian Embassy or Consulate in Paris can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Colombia. Colombia is a Hague Apostille Convention member; apostille certificates from member states are accepted. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from France to Colombia
In a straightforward case, repatriation from France to Colombia takes 3-5 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 2-3 weeks. Complex cases can take 6-10 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with the local mairie (town hall) civil registry promptly. Violent or unexplained deaths (Procureur de la Republique) may add time before the body can be released.
The core documents are: acte de deces (death certificate) with certified translation where required, embalming certificate, export permit, freedom from infection certificate, and passport of the deceased. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The Colombia Embassy in Paris can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Colombia Embassy in Paris as soon as possible after the death.
Violent or unexplained deaths (Procureur de la Republique) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Colombian funeral director takes custody at El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogota, Jose Maria Cordova (MDE) near Medellin, or Alfonso Bonilla Aragon (CLO) in Cali. The Registraduria Nacional del Estado Civil handles civil registration. For violent or unexplained deaths, Medicina Legal (National Institute of Legal Medicine) takes jurisdiction. Colombia is a Hague Apostille Convention member; apostille certificates from member states are accepted. All documents must be in Spanish or with certified Spanish translation. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required.
Cremation in France is widely available. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and relevant export documentation. Your repatriation specialist can advise on the current position.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in France, 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 Colombia.
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 France (gov.uk) · France repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions