Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United States to Syria
For families bringing someone home to Syria. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from the United States to Syria: what to expect
US nationals in Syria include individuals with family ties, dual nationals, and journalists. The United States closed its Embassy in Damascus in 2012. Consular assistance for US nationals in Syria is provided through the US Embassy in Amman, Jordan, or the US State Department emergency line on +1 888 407 4747. English-language US death certificates require certified Arabic translation. Syria is not a Hague Apostille Convention member. Consular arrangements are subject to change following the December 2024 political transition in Syria. (US State Department, 2025.)
- Key document: death certificate (in English)
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Death must be registered with the state civil records office where the death occurred promptly.
- Syria Embassy in Washington DC can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in the United States
Call 911 for emergency services. Death is certified by a physician or medical examiner. The death is registered with the state civil records office where the death occurred. Each US state operates its own civil records system. The coroner or medical examiner takes jurisdiction for violent, sudden, or unexplained deaths, with processes varying by state. The United States is a Hague Apostille Convention member.
Step by step
Timeline: the United States to Syria
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 911 for local emergency services, and contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Death certificate obtained.
Death must be registered with the state civil records office where the death occurred. Violent, sudden, or unexplained deaths (medical examiner or coroner, varies by state) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
Syria Embassy in Washington DC 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 5-10 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Syria
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Syria funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In Syria
When the body arrives in Syria
Death registration in Syria is handled by the Civil Status Directorate (Mudiriyyat al-Ahwal al-Madaniyyah) at local government level. Death certificates are issued in Arabic. Syria is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention; full consular authentication through the relevant Syrian consular representation is required for all foreign-issued documents. All foreign documents require certified Arabic translation. Damascus International Airport (DAM) has had limited operations during the conflict period; access and routing should be confirmed with a specialist before proceeding. Repatriation to Syria requires a specialist with current operational contacts and up-to-date knowledge of the transitional authorities as of 2025. For Muslim remains, which account for the large majority of Syria's population, Islamic law procedures apply and prompt burial is expected. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport.
Consular support
The Syrian consular representation in Washington DC can advise on current documentation requirements for repatriation to Syria. Syria is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication is required. Consular arrangements are subject to change given ongoing political transition. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from the United States to Syria
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United States to Syria takes 8-16 weeks or longer. The fastest cases complete in 8 weeks. Complex cases can take 6 months or longer or longer.
Death must be registered with the state civil records office where the death occurred promptly. Violent, sudden, or unexplained deaths (medical examiner or coroner, varies by state) 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 Syria Embassy in Washington DC can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Syria Embassy in Washington DC as soon as possible after the death.
Violent, sudden, or unexplained deaths (medical examiner or coroner, varies by state) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Civil Status Directorate (Mudiriyyat al-Ahwal al-Madaniyyah) handles death registration in Syria; certificates are issued in Arabic. Syria is not a Hague Apostille member; full consular authentication of all foreign documents is required along with certified Arabic translation. Damascus International Airport (DAM) has had limited operations since the conflict; routing must be confirmed with a specialist. For Muslim remains, Islamic law procedures apply and prompt burial is expected. Repatriation to Syria requires a specialist with current operational contacts. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required.
Cremation in the United States is widely available in all states. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and relevant export documentation. Your repatriation specialist can advise on the current position.
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 States, 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 Syria.
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 the United States (gov.uk) · the United States repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions