Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Sweden to Congo
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Repatriation from Sweden to Congo: what to expect
Repatriation from Sweden to Congo follows Sweden's civil registration and export procedures. Most cases take 2-3 weeks.
- Key document: dodsfallsintyg (death certificate from Skatteverket)
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Sweden is a Hague Apostille member (1999). This simplifies document authentication.
- Documentation is issued in Swedish. Certified translation is required where needed.
In Congo
When the body arrives in Congo
The funeral director in the Republic of Congo takes custody at the cargo terminal at Maya-Maya Airport (BZV), Brazzaville, or Pointe-Noire Airport (PNR), depending on where the death occurred. Death registration runs through the Tribunal de Grande Instance in the relevant district, with Parquet clearance required before remains can be released for export and the Ministere de l'Interieur issuing the export permit. The Republic of Congo is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; documents require standard legalisation. Civil registration in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire is well established; the Pool department and the northern Likouala and Sangha departments have far sparser infrastructure. Cremation is not available; full body repatriation is required.
The process
What happens after a death in Sweden
Call 112 for emergency services. Death is registered with Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency population register). The official death certificate is the dodsfallsintyg. The Swedish Police Authority investigates violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths. Sweden is a Hague Apostille Convention member since 1999.
Step by step
Timeline: Sweden to Congo
Immediate steps after death. Report to local emergency services and contact a specialist at once.
Day of death. Contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Dodsfallsintyg (death certificate from skatteverket) obtained from Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency), which maintains the population register.
Registration must occur promptly. The Swedish Police Authority investigates violent or suspicious deaths. Body release requires police clearance before repatriation can proceed.
Local funeral director and civil registry
Embassy or consulate notified. The Republic of Congo is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; documents require standard legalisation.
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation for international air transport.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export permits and authenticated documents obtained. The dodsfallsintyg is issued in Swedish. Certified translation is required for non-Swedish-speaking destinations.
Allow 5-10 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Stockholm Arlanda (ARN), Gothenburg Landvetter (GOT), or other major Swedish airport to Maya-Maya Airport (BZV), Brazzaville, or Pointe-Noire Airport (PNR).
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Funeral director in the Republic of Congo takes custody at the cargo terminal at Maya-Maya Airport (BZV), Brazzaville, or Pointe-Noire Airport (PNR). Tribunal de Grande Instance notified; Parquet clearance confirmed before export.
Within 24-48 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Sweden to Congo
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Sweden to Congo takes 2-3 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 7-14 days. Complex cases involving criminal investigation or remote locations can take 3-6 weeks.
The core documents are: dodsfallsintyg (death certificate from Skatteverket), embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, passport of the deceased, and all required export permits. The dodsfallsintyg is issued in Swedish. Certified translation is required for non-Swedish-speaking destinations.
The funeral director in the Republic of Congo takes custody at the cargo terminal at Maya-Maya Airport (BZV), Brazzaville, or Pointe-Noire Airport (PNR), depending on where the death occurred. Death registration runs through the Tribunal de Grande Instance in the relevant district, with Parquet clearance required before remains can be released for export and the Ministere de l'Interieur issuing the export permit. The Republic of Congo is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; documents require standard legalisation. Civil registration in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire is well established; the Pool department and the northern Likouala and Sangha departments have far sparser infrastructure. Cremation is not available; full body repatriation is required. All documentation from Sweden must be in order before the body is released for the funeral.
Yes. Cremation in Sweden is an option in most cases, though local authorities must release the body before cremation can take place. You will need the death certificate, cremation certificate, and an export permit for the ashes. Ashes are simpler to transport than a body and carry lower cargo costs. Ask our team for specific guidance on your case.
Brazzaville sits directly across that river from Kinshasa, so the arrangement is a practical one rather than a sign the two countries are connected administratively. The Republic of Congo is not a Hague Apostille Convention member, so documents from Sweden require standard legalisation rather than a simpler apostille stamp.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
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If your loved one has died in Sweden, 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 Congo.
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 Sweden (gov.uk) · Sweden repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions