Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from France to Sudan
For families bringing someone home to Sudan. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from France to Sudan: what to expect
French nationals in Sudan include development workers and individuals with bilateral ties. The French Embassy in Khartoum suspended operations in April 2023. Consular assistance for French nationals in Sudan is provided through the French Embassy in Nairobi or the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs crisis line on +33 1 43 17 67 67. Port Sudan Airport (PZU) is the main functioning exit point. French death certificates (acte de deces, in French) require certified Arabic translation. Sudan is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required. Repatriation from Sudan requires a specialist with current operational contacts. (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.
- Sudan 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 Sudan
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
Sudan 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 Sudan
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Sudan funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In Sudan
When the body arrives in Sudan
Death registration in Sudan is handled by the Civil Registration General Directorate under the Ministry of Interior. Death certificates are issued in Arabic, the official language. Sudan is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention; full consular authentication is required for all foreign-issued documents. All foreign documents require certified Arabic translation. Khartoum International Airport (KRT) suffered severe damage in the April 2023 armed conflict and has had extremely limited operations since. Port Sudan Airport (PZU) is the main functioning gateway as of 2025. Repatriation to Sudan requires a specialist with current operational contacts. For Muslim remains, which account for the large majority of Sudan's population, Islamic law procedures apply and prompt burial is expected. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport.
Consular support
The relevant Sudanese consular representation in Paris can advise on current documentation requirements for repatriation to Sudan. Sudan is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Arrangements are subject to change given the ongoing conflict situation.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from France to Sudan
In a straightforward case, repatriation from France to Sudan takes 8-16 weeks or longer. The fastest cases complete in 8 weeks. Complex cases can take 6 months or longer 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 Sudan Embassy in Paris can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Sudan 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.
Death registration in Sudan is handled by the Civil Registration General Directorate; certificates are issued in Arabic. Sudan is not a Hague Apostille member; full consular authentication of all foreign documents is required along with certified Arabic translation. Khartoum Airport (KRT) has had extremely limited operations since April 2023; Port Sudan Airport (PZU) is the main functioning gateway. For Muslim remains, Islamic law procedures apply and prompt burial is expected. Repatriation to Sudan requires a specialist with current operational contacts. 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.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
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 Sudan.
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