Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Eritrea
For families bringing someone home to Eritrea. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Need help now?
Send us the detailsKey facts
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Eritrea: what to expect
The United Kingdom has one of the largest Eritrean diaspora communities in Europe, concentrated in London, Birmingham, and other cities, with roots in refugees and asylum seekers who arrived during and after the independence war. When someone from the United Kingdom dies and their family wishes to repatriate remains to Eritrea, the death must be registered at the local register office in England and Wales within 5 days, or with the National Records of Scotland or GRONI in Northern Ireland. The Eritrean Embassy in London can advise on documentation requirements for the National Statistics and Evaluation Office (NSEO). UK death certificates require translation for Eritrean authorities. Eritrea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Eritrea. (FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Eritrea; National Statistics and Evaluation Office (NSEO), Eritrea, 2025.)
- Key document: death certificate (in English)
- Documentation takes 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Contact the Eritrea High Commission or Embassy in London for documentation requirements. They cannot fund repatriation.
- Death must be registered with the local register office (or National Records of Scotland / GRONI) promptly.
- Eritrea Embassy in London can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in the United Kingdom
Call 999 for emergency services. Death is certified by a physician or, where necessary, the coroner. The death must be registered at the local register office in England and Wales within 5 days, or with the National Records of Scotland or GRONI in Northern Ireland. The coroner takes jurisdiction for sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths and must issue a removal order before the body can leave England and Wales. The United Kingdom is a Hague Apostille Convention member. Coroner cases add time: the coroner must be satisfied the body may leave before issuing the order for removal out of England and Wales.
Step by step
Timeline: the United Kingdom to Eritrea
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 999 for emergency services. Contact the Eritrea High Commission or Embassy in London.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Death certificate obtained.
Death must be registered with the local register office (or National Records of Scotland / GRONI). Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
Eritrea High Commission or Embassy in London notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation and permits obtained.
Allow 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Eritrea
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Eritrea funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from the United Kingdom to Eritrea
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United Kingdom to Eritrea takes 4-8 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 3-5 weeks. Complex cases can take 10-16 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with the local register office (or National Records of Scotland / GRONI) promptly. Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may add time before the body can be released.
The core documents are: death certificate with certified translation where required, embalming certificate, export permit, freedom from infection certificate, and passport of the deceased. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The Eritrea Embassy in London can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Eritrea Embassy in London as soon as possible after the death.
Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Eritrean funeral director takes custody at Asmara International Airport (ASM) cargo terminal. The National Statistics and Evaluation Office (NSEO) under the Ministry of Health registers the death; death certificates are issued in Tigrinya, Arabic, or English. All foreign documents require translation before submission to Eritrean authorities. Eritrea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required. The British Embassy in Asmara operates on a limited basis. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required. A specialist with experience of Eritrean procedures is essential.
Cremation in the United Kingdom is widely available. A second medical certificate is required for cremation before the body can be removed. If the coroner is involved, a coroner's certificate replaces the second medical certificate. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and relevant export documentation. Your repatriation specialist can advise on the current position.
In Eritrea
When the body arrives in Eritrea
The Eritrean funeral director takes custody at Asmara International Airport (ASM) cargo terminal. Death registration in Eritrea is handled by the National Statistics and Evaluation Office (NSEO) under the Ministry of Health. Death certificates are issued in Tigrinya, Arabic, or English; foreign documents require translation into one of these languages. Eritrea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication of all foreign documents is required. The British Embassy in Asmara is operational but operates on a limited basis; FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Eritrea. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport. (National Statistics and Evaluation Office (NSEO), Eritrea, 2025; FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Eritrea.)
Consular support
The Eritrean Embassy or Consulate in London can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Eritrea. Eritrea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required for all foreign documents. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the National Statistics and Evaluation Office (NSEO) in Eritrea for civil registration queries.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in the United Kingdom, 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 Eritrea.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Frequently asked questions