Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Jordan to Turkey
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Quick answer
Repatriation from Jordan to Turkey: what to expect
Jordanian nationals in Turkey include students, business professionals, and travellers. Jordan and Turkey have close bilateral diplomatic ties as fellow OIC member states with shared historical connections through the Ottoman period. Jordanian nationals travel to Turkey for tourism, trade, and medical treatment. Arabic documentation from Jordan requires certified Turkish translation for Turkish civil registry purposes. The Turkish Embassy in Amman handles consular matters. (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
- Key document: Jordanian death certificate (shihada al wafat, in Arabic) with certified English translation
- Documentation takes 5-14 days. Police report required for unexpected deaths.
- British Embassy in Amman registers the death and advises. They cannot fund repatriation.
- Turkey Embassy in Amman can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in Jordan
Contact police (911) or ambulance (912). Unexpected deaths require police attendance. Death registered with the Civil Status Department (dairat al ahwal al madaniya). The death certificate (shihada al wafat) is issued in Arabic and requires certified English translation.
Step by step
Timeline: Jordan to Turkey
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call +44 (0)20 7008 5000 (FCDO) or +90 312 292 2000.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered with Civil Status Department. Shihada al wafat issued.
Certificate in Arabic. Certified English translation required.
Local funeral director and Civil Status Department
Turkey Embassy in Amman notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation
After police and civil registration release the body.
Licensed local funeral director
Certified English translation and all export permits obtained
Allow 5-14 days.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) to London Heathrow (LHR)
Once all documentation complete. Royal Jordanian and British Airways serve AMM-LHR.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Turkey funeral director takes custody. receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In Turkey
When the body arrives in Turkey
The Turkish funeral director (cenaze firmasi) takes custody at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW) cargo terminal. A transit certificate (transit belgesi) must accompany the remains. The municipality (belediye) registers the death in the nufus mudurlugu (population directorate). The Turkish Ministry of Health clearance is required before burial or cremation. All foreign documents not in Turkish require certified Turkish translation. (Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
Consular support
Turkish Embassy in Amman can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Turkey. Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs emergency line: +90 312 292 2000 (24 hours). The Turkish Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Jordan to Turkey
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Jordan to Turkey takes 7-21 days. The fastest cases complete in 7-10 days. Complex cases involving a police investigation can take 4-8 weeks.
The core documents are: shihada al wafat (Jordanian death certificate) with certified English translation, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, police report (if required), and passport of the deceased.
The Turkey Embassy in Amman can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Turkey Embassy in Amman as soon as possible after the death.
Notify a UK repatriation specialist and the +90 312 292 2000 (+44 (0)20 7008 5000) on the day of death. Do not instruct a local funeral director independently before engaging a specialist.
The Turkish funeral director (cenaze firmasi) takes custody at Istanbul Airport (IST) cargo terminal. A transit certificate (transit belgesi) must accompany the remains. The municipality (belediye) registers the death. The Turkish Ministry of Health clearance is required. All foreign documents require certified Turkish translation. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local municipal authorities.
Cremation in Jordan is not widely available given the predominantly Muslim population. Most repatriations from Jordan are full body repatriations. Contact us to discuss the options specific to your situation.
We are here to help, any time of day or night
If your loved one has passed away in Jordan, please do not face this alone. Our team will guide you through every step of bringing them home.
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 · Jordan repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions