Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from France to Papua New Guinea
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Quick answer
Repatriation from France to Papua New Guinea: what to expect
France maintains diplomatic relations with Papua New Guinea, with a French Embassy in Port Moresby. France's presence in the Pacific through New Caledonia provides regional context for the relationship. When a Papua New Guinean national dies in France and their family wishes to repatriate remains to PNG, 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 Civil Registration Authority in PNG. The Papua New Guinea Embassy in Paris can advise on documentation requirements. Papua New Guinea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required. (FCDO Travel Advice: Papua New Guinea, 2025; Civil Registration Authority, Department of Justice and Attorney General, PNG, 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.
- Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea
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
Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Papua New Guinea funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In Papua New Guinea
When the body arrives in Papua New Guinea
The Papua New Guinea funeral director takes custody at Jacksons International Airport (POM) in Port Moresby cargo terminal. For deaths in remote areas, the body must be transferred to Port Moresby before international repatriation can proceed. Death registration in Papua New Guinea is handled by the Civil Registration Authority under the Department of Justice and Attorney General. Death certificates are issued in English. Papua New Guinea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication of all foreign documents is required. Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth member. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for all air imports; a specialist is essential on this corridor given the geographic and logistical complexity. (Civil Registration Authority, Department of Justice and Attorney General, Papua New Guinea, 2025; FCDO Travel Advice: Papua New Guinea, 2025.)
Consular support
The Papua New Guinea High Commission or Embassy in Paris can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea 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 Civil Registration Authority in Papua New Guinea for civil registration queries.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from France to Papua New Guinea
In a straightforward case, repatriation from France to Papua New Guinea takes 4-8 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 3-5 weeks. Complex cases can take 10-16 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 Papua New Guinea Embassy in Paris can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea funeral director takes custody at Jacksons International Airport (POM) in Port Moresby cargo terminal. For deaths in remote locations, transfer to Port Moresby is required before international repatriation can proceed. The Civil Registration Authority under the Department of Justice and Attorney General registers the death and issues a death certificate in English. All foreign documents require consular authentication. Papua New Guinea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member. Papua New Guinea is a Commonwealth member. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required. A specialist with experience of PNG procedures is essential.
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.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
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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