Repatriation from Haiti to Canada

Canadian Embassy or High Commission in Port-au-Prince can assist Canadian citizens and their families with consular registration of the death and provide a list of local funeral directors. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Global Affairs Canada emergency line: +1 (613) 996-8885 (24 hours, collect calls accepted).

Where conditions allow, the fastest cases complete in 6-8 weeks. In complex cases, or where security conditions deteriorate further, the process can take 16 weeks or more. Haiti is one of the most demanding repatriation origins in the world.

Only a specialist with direct experience in Haiti should be approached.

The core documents are: Acte de décès (état civil death certificate) with certified English translation, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and the export permit. All documents are initially in French or Haitian Creole. Obtaining and translating these in Haiti's security environment can take many weeks. Your repatriation coordinator manages all of this on your behalf.

A post-mortem may be required for sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths. Haiti's very limited medical infrastructure means post-mortem capacity is variable and access to facilities is not assured in many areas. Your specialist will advise based on the specific location and circumstances.

The Canadian funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. CBSA clearance requires the foreign death certificate, transit or burial permit, and embalming certificate. Provincial regulations govern the burial or cremation. The receiving funeral director notifies the appropriate provincial authority.

Cremation facilities are very limited in Haiti. This option is not reliably available across the country. Families considering cremation should consult a specialist before making any decisions. The availability of facilities depends entirely on location and access at the time.