Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Ghana to the United Kingdom
For families bringing someone home to the United Kingdom. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from Ghana to the UK: what to expect
Ghana has a significant British-Ghanaian diaspora and this is a well-established repatriation corridor. Documentation is in English throughout. Death registration runs through the Births and Deaths Registry. Most cases complete in 2-4 weeks.
- Key document: Ghanaian death certificate (Births and Deaths Registry, in English)
- Documentation takes 7-21 days. Police report required for unexpected deaths.
- British High Commission in Accra registers the death and advises. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in Ghana
Call the police (191 or 112) for unexpected deaths. A doctor must certify the death. Death registered with the Births and Deaths Registry of Ghana. Documentation is in English throughout. Kotoka International Airport in Accra is the main cargo departure point.
Step by step
Timeline: Ghana to the United Kingdom
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered with Births and Deaths Registry of Ghana.
Documentation in English. Police report required for unexpected deaths.
Local funeral director and Births and Deaths Registry
British High Commission Accra notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. High Commission provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation
Embalming required for international repatriation.
Licensed local funeral director
Police report (if required) and all export permits obtained
Allow 7-21 days.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Kotoka International Airport (ACC) to London Heathrow (LHR)
Once all documentation complete. British Airways serves ACC-LHR.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
UK funeral director takes custody. Coroner notified.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In United Kingdom
When the body arrives in the United Kingdom
The UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. Ghanaian documentation is in English and typically accepted directly. The coroner for the district is notified. Straightforward cases proceed directly to funeral arrangements.
Consular support
FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000. The British High Commission in Accra can register the death and advise on documentation. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Ghana to the United Kingdom
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Ghana to the UK takes 2-4 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 10-14 days. Complex cases involving police investigation can take 4-8 weeks.
The core documents are: Ghanaian death certificate (Births and Deaths Registry), embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, police report (if required), and passport of the deceased. Documentation is in English throughout.
The British High Commission in Accra can register the death with UK authorities, provide a list of local funeral directors, and advise on documentation. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
The Births and Deaths Registry of Ghana is the official government body responsible for registering all deaths in Ghana. All deaths must be registered with the Registry before any funeral or repatriation process can begin. The Registry issues the official death certificate.
The UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. Ghanaian documentation is in English and typically accepted directly. The coroner for the district is notified. Straightforward cases proceed directly to funeral arrangements.
Yes. Cremation in Ghana and bringing ashes home to the UK is an option. You will need the death certificate, cremation certificate, and export permit.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Ghana, 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 the United Kingdom.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO: When someone dies in Ghana · Ghana repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions