Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Morocco to Ireland
For families bringing someone home to Ireland. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Need help now?
Send us the detailsKey facts
Repatriation from Morocco to Ireland: what to expect
Repatriation from Morocco to Ireland is one of the faster non-European corridors. Documentation is in Arabic and French. The Irish Embassy operates from Madrid and Rabat. Typical timeline: 7-14 days.
- Key document: Acte de Deces (in Arabic and French) and certified English translation
- Documentation takes 3-7 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Irish consular services for Morocco operate via the Irish Embassy in Rabat.
The process
How repatriation from Morocco works
Contact police (190) or ambulance (150). Hospital or doctor certifies the death. The Acte de Deces is issued by the local civil registry (Bureau d'Etat Civil) in Arabic and French. A certified English translation is required for Irish purposes.
Step by step
Timeline: Morocco to Ireland
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Irish Embassy Rabat: via Dept of Foreign Affairs +353 1 408 2000.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered at Bureau d'Etat Civil. Acte de Deces issued.
Funeral director handles registration. Certified English translation required.
Local funeral director and civil registry
Irish Embassy Rabat notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming
Quality variable outside Casablanca and Rabat.
Licensed local funeral director
All export permits obtained
Allow 3-7 days. Cannot begin until Acte de Deces issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Casablanca (CMN) or Marrakech (RAK) to Dublin (DUB)
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Irish funeral director takes custody. Coroner notified.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Morocco to Ireland
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Morocco to Ireland takes 7-14 days. The fastest cases complete in 5-7 days. Complex cases can take 2-4 weeks.
The core documents are: Acte de Deces (in Arabic and French), certified English translation, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, consular certificate, and passport of the deceased.
The Irish Embassy in Rabat can register the death with Irish authorities, provide a list of local funeral directors, and advise on documentation. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line: +353 1 408 2000.
Notify a repatriation specialist and the Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line (+353 1 408 2000) on the day of death. Do not instruct a local funeral director independently before engaging a specialist.
The Irish funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All Moroccan documentation must be in certified English translation. The Coroner is involved only where the death abroad was unnatural, and may then order a post-mortem.
Yes, if the deceased was non-Muslim. Cremation in Morocco is available for non-Muslims. You will need the Acte de Deces, cremation certificate, and export permit.
In Ireland
When the body arrives in Ireland
The Irish funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All Moroccan documentation must be in certified English translation. The Coroner is involved only where the death abroad was unnatural, and may then order a post-mortem. Straightforward cases proceed to funeral arrangements.
Consular support
Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line: +353 1 408 2000. The Irish Embassy in Rabat can register the death and advise.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Morocco, 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 Ireland.
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 Morocco (gov.uk) · Morocco repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions