Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Mozambique
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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.
Key facts
Repatriation from the United Kingdom to Mozambique: what to expect
Mozambique is a Commonwealth member and a destination for British NGO workers, development sector professionals, and tourists. When someone from the United Kingdom dies and their family wishes to repatriate remains to Mozambique, 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 Mozambican High Commission in London can advise on documentation requirements for the Conservatoria do Registo Civil. UK death certificates require certified Portuguese translation. Mozambique is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required. A specialist is essential on this corridor. (FCDO Travel Advice: Mozambique, 2025; Conservatoria do Registo Civil, Mozambique, 2025.)
- Key document: death certificate (in English)
- Documentation takes 3-7 days (coroner cases longer). Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Contact the Mozambique 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.
- Mozambique Embassy in London can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: the United Kingdom to Mozambique
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 999 for emergency services. Contact the Mozambique 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
Mozambique 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 Mozambique
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Mozambique 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 Mozambique
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United Kingdom to Mozambique 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 Mozambique Embassy in London can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Mozambique 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 Mozambican funeral director takes custody at Maputo International Airport (MPM) or Beira Airport (BEW) cargo terminal. The Conservatoria do Registo Civil under the Ministry of Justice registers the death and issues the certidao de obito in Portuguese. All foreign documents require certified Portuguese translation before submission to Mozambican authorities. Mozambique is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required. Families should appoint a specialist with experience of Mozambican procedures early, as administrative capacity varies significantly outside the capital.
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 Mozambique
When the body arrives in Mozambique
The Mozambican funeral director takes custody at Maputo International Airport (MPM) or Beira Airport (BEW) cargo terminal. Death registration in Mozambique is handled by the Conservatoria do Registo Civil under the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. The certidao de obito (death certificate) is issued in Portuguese; all foreign documents require certified Portuguese translation. Mozambique is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication of all foreign documents is required. Mozambique is a Commonwealth member. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for all air imports; embalming standards and available facilities vary significantly outside Maputo. (Conservatoria do Registo Civil, Mozambique, 2025; FCDO Travel Advice: Mozambique, 2025.)
Consular support
The Mozambican High Commission or Embassy in London can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Mozambique. Mozambique is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required for all foreign documents. The High Commission cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Conservatoria do Registo Civil in Mozambique for civil registration queries.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
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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 · the United Kingdom repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions