Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from France to The Gambia
For British families. 24/7 support, every step handled.
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.
Key facts
Repatriation from France to The Gambia: what to expect
France has a Gambian diaspora community in Paris and other cities, and The Gambia is surrounded on three sides by Senegal, a Francophone country with which France has close ties. The French Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, covers The Gambia for French nationals in The Gambia. When a Gambian national dies in France and their family wishes to repatriate remains to The Gambia, the death is registered with the local mairie (town hall). The acte de deces is issued in French and requires consular authentication for submission to the General Register Office. The Gambia Embassy in Paris can advise on documentation requirements. The Gambia is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required. (FCDO Travel Advice: The Gambia, 2025; General Register Office, The Gambia, 2025.)
- Key document: acte de deces (death certificate) (in French)
- Documentation takes 3-5 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- British Embassy or High Commission in Paris registers the death and advises. They cannot fund repatriation.
- Death must be registered with the local mairie (town hall) civil registry promptly.
- The Gambia Embassy in Paris can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: France to The Gambia
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call +44 (0)20 7008 5000 (FCDO) or 17 (police) / 15 (ambulance) / 112 (EU emergency) for local emergency services.
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
The Gambia 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 The Gambia
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
The Gambia funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In The Gambia
When the body arrives in The Gambia
The Gambia funeral director takes custody at Banjul International Airport (BJL) cargo terminal. Death registration in The Gambia is handled by the General Register Office. Death certificates are issued in English. The Gambia is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication of all foreign documents is required by Gambian authorities. The Gambia is a Commonwealth member. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for all air imports. (General Register Office, The Gambia, 2025; FCDO Travel Advice: The Gambia, 2025.)
Consular support
The Gambia High Commission or Embassy in Paris can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to The Gambia. The Gambia is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required for all foreign documents. The High Commission cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the General Register Office in The Gambia for civil registration queries.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from France to The Gambia
In a straightforward case, repatriation from France to The Gambia takes 3-5 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 2-3 weeks. Complex cases can take 8-12 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 The Gambia Embassy in Paris can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the The Gambia 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 Gambia funeral director takes custody at Banjul International Airport (BJL) cargo terminal. The General Register Office registers the death and issues a death certificate in English. All foreign documents require consular authentication before submission to Gambian authorities. The Gambia is not a Hague Apostille Convention member. The Gambia is a Commonwealth member. 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, any time of day or night
If your loved one has passed away in France, please do not face this alone. Our team will guide you through every step of bringing them home.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Updated June 2026.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · France repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions