Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Paraguay to United Kingdom
For British families. 24/7 support, every step handled.
The process
What happens after a death in Paraguay
Call 911 for emergency services. Death is registered with the Registro Civil (Direccion General del Registro Civil del Estado Civil de las Personas), which issues the official death certificate in Spanish. Certified English translation is required for UK authorities. Where a death is violent, suspicious, or unexplained, the Ministerio Publico (Public Prosecutor's office) takes jurisdiction and a post-mortem may be required before the body is released. Paraguay's participation in the Hague Apostille Convention means that official documents can be apostilled domestically. The British Embassy in Buenos Aires handles consular matters for British nationals in Paraguay and can register the death with UK authorities. Air cargo typically routes from Asuncion via Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo to the UK. FCDO travel advice for Paraguay (gov.uk, 2026) provides current consular and entry guidance.
Key facts
Repatriation from Paraguay to the United Kingdom: what to expect
Paraguay is a landlocked South American country where death registration and export documentation follow the civil registry process managed by the Registro Civil. There is no resident British embassy in Asuncion; the British Ambassador in Buenos Aires is accredited to Paraguay. Paraguay participates in the Hague Apostille Convention, which simplifies document legalisation. All documentation is in Spanish and requires certified English translation. Most cases take 2-4 weeks.
- Key document: Registro Civil (Direccion General del Registro Civil del Estado Civil de las Personas) death certificate, in Spanish, requiring certified English translation
- No resident British embassy in Paraguay: British Ambassador in Buenos Aires is accredited to Paraguay
- Paraguay is a Hague Apostille Convention member, which simplifies legalisation
- Documentation takes 7-14 days in most cases
- Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asuncion connects via Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo
Step by step
Timeline: Paraguay to United Kingdom
Call 911 and notify the FCDO emergency line immediately
Day of death. FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered with the Registro Civil. Death certificate obtained in Spanish.
Days 1-5. Registration is required before other documentation can proceed.
Local funeral director and Registro Civil
British Embassy Buenos Aires notified. Consular case opened.
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy advises on documentation and available assistance.
Family or repatriation specialist
Post-mortem completed if required by Ministerio Publico. Body released to funeral director.
Variable: add 1-2 weeks if post-mortem required.
Ministerio Publico and medical authorities
Embalming and preparation. Apostille obtained. Certified English translations prepared.
After body is released. Allow 7-14 days for full documentation set.
Local funeral director and repatriation specialist
Export permit obtained. Air cargo booked from Silvio Pettirossi International Airport.
Once documentation is complete. Connections via Buenos Aires or Sao Paulo.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. Coroner notified.
Within 24 hours of arrival in the UK.
Receiving UK funeral director
In United Kingdom
When the body arrives in United Kingdom
The UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All documentation must be in certified English translation. The coroner for the district is notified. Straightforward cases proceed directly to funeral arrangements.
Consular support
FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000. The British Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, covers Paraguay and can register the death and advise on local contacts. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Paraguay to United Kingdom
Most cases take 2-4 weeks. The fastest, where there are no complications and documentation proceeds smoothly, can complete in 10-14 days. Cases involving a post-mortem or delays in obtaining documentation typically take 5-8 weeks.
There is no resident British embassy in Asuncion. The British Ambassador in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is accredited to Paraguay and handles consular matters. The FCDO 24-hour emergency line is +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
It means official documents, including the death certificate, can be apostilled locally within Paraguay rather than going through a longer authentication process. UK authorities and airlines accept apostilled documents from Convention member countries, which speeds up the documentation stage.
The core documents are: the Registro Civil death certificate with certified English translation and apostille, post-mortem report where required, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and export permit. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining all of these.
Silvio Pettirossi International Airport in Asuncion is the main departure point. Connections to the UK typically route via Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires or Guarulhos International Airport in Sao Paulo. Your repatriation specialist arranges all cargo bookings.
Yes. Cremation is available in Paraguay. Bringing ashes home to the UK requires the death certificate, cremation certificate, apostille, certified English translation, and export documentation. This is generally less complex than full body repatriation.
The UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All Spanish-language documentation must be accompanied by certified English translation. The coroner for the district is notified. Straightforward cases proceed directly to funeral arrangements.
We are here to help, any time of day or night
If your loved one has passed away in Paraguay, 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 · Paraguay repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions