Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Pakistan to Belgium
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Quick answer
Repatriation from Pakistan to Belgium: what to expect
Pakistani nationals form part of Belgium's South Asian diaspora community. This corridor handles cases where a Belgium-based Pakistani has a family member die in Pakistan and needs remains brought to Belgium. Documentation requires certified French or Dutch translation.
- Key document: Pakistani death certificate (NADRA or Union Council issued) with certified English translation
- Documentation takes 14-30 days minimum. Urdu certificate requires certified translation.
- British High Commission in Islamabad registers the death and advises. They cannot fund repatriation.
- No cremation in Pakistan. All repatriations are full body.
- Belgium Embassy in Islamabad can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: Pakistan to Belgium
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call +44 (0)20 7008 5000 (FCDO) or +32 2 501 8111. Seek specialist advice on FCDO travel warning status.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered with NADRA or local Union Council. Certificate issued in Urdu.
Certified English translation required. Cannot begin process without it.
Local funeral director and NADRA
British High Commission Islamabad or consulate notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. High Commission provides list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation
Quality embalming available in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore. Limited elsewhere.
Licensed local funeral director
Certified English translation and all export permits obtained
Allow 14-30 days minimum.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Islamabad (ISB), Karachi (KHI), or Lahore (LHE)
Once all documentation complete. PIA, British Airways, and Emirates serve direct routes to LHR.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Belgium funeral director takes custody. receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
The process
What happens after a death in Pakistan
Call 15 for police or 115 for ambulance. Unexpected deaths require police notification. Death registered with NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) or the local Union Council. The death certificate is in Urdu and requires certified English translation. Quality embalming is available in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore but limited in smaller cities.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Pakistan to Belgium
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Pakistan to Belgium takes 3-6 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 2-3 weeks. Complex cases, or those involving FCDO-restricted areas, can take 8-16 weeks or longer.
Cremation is effectively unavailable in Pakistan. All repatriations must be full body repatriations. This applies regardless of the religion or wishes of the deceased.
Contact a UK repatriation specialist and the +32 2 501 8111 (+44 (0)20 7008 5000) immediately. Deaths in areas subject to FCDO travel warnings add significant complexity. Do not instruct a local funeral director independently.
The core documents are: Pakistani death certificate (NADRA-issued) with certified English translation, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and passport of the deceased.
The Belgium Embassy in Islamabad can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Belgium Embassy in Islamabad as soon as possible after the death.
The Belgian funeral director takes custody at Brussels Airport (BRU) cargo terminal. A transport authorisation is required before burial or cremation. The local commune or gemeente registers the death. All foreign documents require certified French or Dutch translation. The receiving funeral director coordinates with the commune and local health authorities.
In Belgium
When the body arrives in Belgium
The Belgian funeral director (entrepreneur des pompes funebres or begrafenisondernemer) takes custody at Brussels Airport (BRU) or Liege Airport (LGG) cargo terminal. The local commune or gemeente registers the death with the Registre de la Population. A transport authorisation is required before burial or cremation. All foreign documents must carry a certified French or Dutch translation. (Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, FPS Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
Consular support
Belgian Embassy in Islamabad can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Belgium. Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs emergency line: +32 2 501 8111 (24 hours). The Belgian Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
We are here to help, any time of day or night
If your loved one has passed away in Pakistan, 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 · Pakistan repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions