What to do if someone dies in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has the most direct UK repatriation route in South Asia: Biman Bangladesh Airlines operates scheduled cargo services from Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport directly to London Heathrow. For UK families, this removes multi-leg routing uncertainty. The UK-Bangladeshi diaspora means local agents in Dhaka are highly experienced with UK requirements.

Step 1: Notify the British High Commission Dhaka

The British High Commission is the consular authority as Bangladesh is a Commonwealth country. Address: United Nations Road, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212. Phone: +880 2 5566 2000. FCDO 24-hour emergency: +44 1908 516666.

Step 2: Death registration

Death registration in Bangladesh depends on where the death occurred. In city corporations (Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet City), registration is through the city corporation. In rural areas, registration is through the Union Parishad. Both use the Births and Deaths Registration Act 2004. The medical doctor certifies the cause of death on the death certificate.

Step 3: Bangladesh Police and magistrate process (unnatural deaths)

For unnatural, violent, or unexplained deaths, Bangladesh Police investigate under the Code of Criminal Procedure. The magistrate may order a post-mortem examination at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) or a divisional hospital. DMCH’s Forensic Department handles the majority of forensic post-mortems in Dhaka. The body cannot be released until the investigating magistrate authorises release.

Step 4: Deaths outside Dhaka

Bangladesh has divisional hospitals in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and Rangpur. Complex cases may require transfer to DMCH in Dhaka for forensic post-mortem. Sylhet Division is worth noting: a large number of UK Bangladeshis have family origins in Sylhet, making it a relatively frequent location for deaths involving British nationals.

Step 5: Monsoon season planning

Bangladesh’s monsoon season runs from June to October. Flooding in low-lying areas, particularly in Sylhet and Barishal divisions, can affect road access. If the death occurs in a flood-affected rural area, transfer to the relevant divisional hospital may be delayed. Notify your specialist immediately and let them engage the local agent to assess access conditions on the ground.

Step 6: DGHS export permit

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) issues the export permit for the body. Required documents: death certificate, magistrate release order (if unnatural death), post-mortem report (if conducted), embalming certificate, freedom from contagious disease clearance. Allow three to five working days for the permit.

Step 7: Cargo via Dhaka Hazrat Shahjalal International

Biman Bangladesh Airlines operates direct freighter and belly cargo services from Dhaka (DAC) to Heathrow. Your specialist’s local agent will coordinate the cargo booking. Source: FCDO guidance on death in Bangladesh; Births and Deaths Registration Act 2004 (Bangladesh); British High Commission Dhaka consular guidance (2023).