Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Syria to Ireland
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Repatriation from Syria to Ireland: what families need to know
Syria remains an active conflict zone. The Department of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to Syria, and the Irish Embassy in Damascus has been suspended since 2012. Consular support, where it is possible at all, is provided from the Irish Embassy in Ankara, Lebanon. Repatriation from active conflict areas may be impossible. Families should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line immediately and not attempt to enter Syria independently.
- Department of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to Syria (Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice for Syria, gov.ie, 2026).
- Irish Embassy Damascus suspended since 2012. Consular coverage from Beirut, Lebanon.
- Consular access across most of Syria is severely restricted or not possible.
- Repatriation from active conflict areas may be impossible. Do not travel to Syria.
- Contact Department of Foreign Affairs 24hr emergency line: +353 1 408 2000 as the first step.
The process
What happens after a death in Syria
Contact the Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line (+353 1 408 2000) immediately. Do not attempt to travel to Syria. The Irish Embassy in Damascus has been suspended since 2012. Consular support is provided where feasible from the Irish Embassy in Ankara, Lebanon, but access across Syria is severely limited due to the ongoing conflict. Civil registry access is highly variable and depends on which authority controls the area of death. All documentation is in Arabic and requires certified English translation. Access to airport facilities varies greatly by region; Aleppo and Damascus international airports have limited operations.
Step by step
Timeline: Syria to Ireland
Contact the Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line immediately
As soon as possible. Department of Foreign Affairs 24hr: +353 1 408 2000. Do not travel to Syria.
Family
Consult a specialist repatriation coordinator
Day of notification. A specialist can advise on what is currently possible given the security situation.
Family
Irish Embassy Beirut contacted for consular advice
Department of Foreign Affairs will liaise with Beirut where consular access is feasible.
Department of Foreign Affairs and repatriation specialist
Assessment of whether repatriation is currently possible
Depends on location within Syria, current security conditions, and which authorities control the area.
Repatriation specialist and Department of Foreign Affairs
Death certificate and civil registry documentation obtained
Highly variable. Access to civil registry offices depends entirely on the local situation.
Local contacts or repatriation specialist
Certified English translations and export permits obtained where possible
Highly variable. Process cannot proceed without civil documentation.
Repatriation specialist
Irish funeral director takes custody at cargo terminal. Coroner notified.
Upon arrival in Ireland, once all stages above are complete.
Receiving Irish funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Syria to Ireland
Repatriation from Syria is extremely difficult and in many parts of the country is currently not possible. The Department of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to Syria. The Irish Embassy in Damascus has been suspended since 2012. Families should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line on +353 1 408 2000 immediately to understand what options exist for their specific situation.
The Irish Embassy in Damascus has been suspended since 2012. Consular coverage is provided from the Irish Embassy in Ankara, Lebanon, where access is feasible. Contact the Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line on +353 1 408 2000 for the most current guidance.
Contact the Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line (+353 1 408 2000) immediately. Do not attempt to travel to Syria. Engage a specialist repatriation coordinator who can advise on what is currently achievable given the security situation and the specific location within Syria.
Where civil registry access is possible, documents include: a Syrian civil registry death certificate (with certified English translation), export permit, embalming certificate, and the passport of the deceased. Access to civil registry offices varies greatly depending on which authority controls the relevant area. A repatriation specialist can advise on the current position.
Repatriation of ashes from Syria faces the same severe restrictions as full body repatriation. Cremation facilities and access to them are highly limited. This option is not straightforwardly available in conflict-affected areas.
There is no reliable timeline for Syria. Cases can take many months, and in some situations repatriation may not be possible at all in the near term. The Department of Foreign Affairs can provide the most current assessment of what is achievable.
Most travel insurance policies exclude countries subject to Department of Foreign Affairs 'advise against all travel' warnings. Families should review their policy documents carefully and contact their insurer at the earliest opportunity. The Department of Foreign Affairs and a specialist repatriation coordinator can advise on next steps where insurance does not apply.
In Ireland
When the body arrives in Ireland
The Irish funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All documentation must be in certified English translation where required. The Coroner is involved only where the death abroad was unnatural, and may then order a post-mortem. Straightforward cases proceed directly to funeral arrangements.
Consular support
Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line: +353 1 408 2000 (24 hours). The Irish Embassy in Ankara covers Syria and can register the death and advise on documentation. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Syria, 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 government guidance (gov.uk) · Syria repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions