Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Italy to Eritrea
For families bringing someone home to Eritrea. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from Italy to Eritrea: what to expect
Italy and Eritrea share a colonial history: Eritrea was an Italian colony from 1890 to 1941, and some Italian cultural and architectural influence remains visible in Asmara. Italy has a small Eritrean diaspora community in Rome and other cities. When an Eritrean national dies in Italy and their family wishes to repatriate remains to Eritrea, the death is registered with the local Ufficio di Stato Civile. The atto di morte is issued in Italian and requires translation before submission to Eritrean authorities. The Eritrean Embassy in Rome can advise on documentation requirements for the National Statistics and Evaluation Office (NSEO). Eritrea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required.
- Key document: atto di morte (death certificate) (in Italian)
- Documentation takes 3-5 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Death must be registered with the local Ufficio di Stato Civile (civil registry) of the Comune promptly.
- Eritrea Embassy in Rome can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in Italy
Call 112 for the unified emergency number, 113 for police, or 118 for ambulance. Death is certified by a physician. The atto di morte is registered with the local Ufficio di Stato Civile of the Comune (municipality). The Procura della Repubblica (public prosecutor) takes jurisdiction for violent or unexplained deaths. Italy is an EU member and Hague Apostille Convention member.
Step by step
Timeline: Italy to Eritrea
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 112 (unified) / 113 (police) / 118 (ambulance) for local emergency services, and contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Atto di morte (death certificate) obtained.
Death must be registered with the local Ufficio di Stato Civile (civil registry) of the Comune. Violent or unexplained deaths (Procura della Repubblica) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
Eritrea Embassy in Rome 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 Eritrea
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Eritrea funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In Eritrea
When the body arrives in Eritrea
The Eritrean funeral director takes custody at Asmara International Airport (ASM) cargo terminal. Death registration in Eritrea is handled by the National Statistics and Evaluation Office (NSEO) under the Ministry of Health. Death certificates are issued in Tigrinya, Arabic, or English; foreign documents require translation into one of these languages. Eritrea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication of all foreign documents is required. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport.
Consular support
The Eritrean Embassy or Consulate in Rome can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Eritrea. Eritrea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required for all foreign documents. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the National Statistics and Evaluation Office (NSEO) in Eritrea for civil registration queries.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Italy to Eritrea
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Italy to Eritrea 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 Ufficio di Stato Civile (civil registry) of the Comune promptly. Violent or unexplained deaths (Procura della Repubblica) may add time before the body can be released.
The core documents are: atto di morte (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 Eritrea Embassy in Rome can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Eritrea Embassy in Rome as soon as possible after the death.
Violent or unexplained deaths (Procura della Repubblica) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Eritrean funeral director takes custody at Asmara International Airport (ASM) cargo terminal. The National Statistics and Evaluation Office (NSEO) under the Ministry of Health registers the death; death certificates are issued in Tigrinya, Arabic, or English. All foreign documents require translation before submission to Eritrean authorities. Eritrea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required. A specialist with experience of Eritrean procedures is essential.
Cremation in Italy is available, though less common than in northern Europe; facilities exist in major cities. 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 Italy, 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 Eritrea.
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 Italy (gov.uk) · Italy repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions