Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Mauritania to France
For families bringing someone home to France. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Key facts
Repatriation from Mauritania to France: what to expect
Mauritanian nationals form part of France's Saharan West African diaspora. This corridor handles cases where a France-based Mauritanian has a family member die in Mauritania and needs remains brought to France. Mauritania uses Arabic and French as official languages.
- Key document: acte de deces (état civil), in Arabic and French, requiring certified English translation
- Documentation takes 14-28 days in most cases
- Air connections via Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport, routing through Casablanca or Dakar
- Cremation facilities are extremely limited. Specialist advice needed before any arrangements are made.
- France Embassy in Nouakchott can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in Mauritania
Call 17 (police) or 15 (ambulance). Death is registered with the local état civil office, which issues the acte de deces in Arabic and/or French. Where a death is violent, suspicious, or unexplained, the Gendarmerie Nationale takes jurisdiction and a post-mortem will be required before the body is released. The uk, 2026) identifies specific areas where travel is advised against and should be read before any personnel movements are considered.
Step by step
Timeline: Mauritania to France
Embassy or consulate notified
Day of death. Contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country (citizens of France: +33 1 43 17 67 67).
Family or travel insurer
Death registered at the local état civil office. Acte de deces obtained in Arabic and French.
Days 1-7. Access to civil registration may vary by location.
Local contacts and repatriation specialist
France Embassy in Nouakchott notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy advises on available assistance from Rabat.
Family or repatriation specialist
Post-mortem completed if required by Gendarmerie Nationale. Body released.
Variable: add 2-4 weeks if post-mortem required, depending on facilities.
Gendarmerie Nationale and medical authorities
Embalming and preparation. Certified English translations of all documents arranged.
After body is released. Allow 14-28 days for full documentation set.
Local funeral director and repatriation specialist
Export permit obtained. Air cargo booked from Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport.
Once documentation is complete. Connections typically via Casablanca or Dakar.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
France funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In France
When the body arrives in France
The French funeral director (pompes funebres) takes custody at Charles de Gaulle (CDG, Paris) or another French international airport. The prefecture may require a permis d'inhumer (burial permit) or transport authorisation before burial or cremation can proceed. All foreign documents must carry a certified French translation. (French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, MAE, 2025.)
Consular support
French Embassy in Nouakchott can advise on repatriation documentation requirements for France. French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MAE) emergency assistance: +33 1 43 17 67 67 (24 hours). The French Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Mauritania to France
French Embassy in Nouakchott can advise on repatriation documentation requirements for France. French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MAE) emergency assistance: +33 1 43 17 67 67 (24 hours). The French Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Most cases take 4-8 weeks. The fastest cases, where the death is in Nouakchott and there are no complications, can complete in 3-5 weeks. Where a post-mortem is required or the death occurs in a remote area, 10-14 weeks is realistic.
The core documents are: the acte de deces in Arabic and French with certified English translations, post-mortem report where required, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and export permit. Your repatriation coordinator handles the full document set.
Cremation facilities are extremely limited in Mauritania. This is not a practical option in most cases. Full body repatriation is the standard approach, and the process requires specialist management from day one.
The French funeral director takes custody at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or another French airport. The prefecture issues a permis d'inhumer before burial or cremation. All foreign documents require certified French translation. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Mauritania, 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 France.
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 government guidance (gov.uk) · Mauritania repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions