Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Haiti
This guide explains what happens after a death in Haiti, who to contact, and how to arrange for your loved one to be brought home to the UK. The information comes from FCDO and government sources. Every situation is different, and if you need someone to guide you through it, our team is available any time.
Typical timeline
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FCDO 24hr helpline
+44 (0)20 7008 5000
What to Do When Someone Dies in Haiti
Haiti is one of the most complex and urgent situations a UK family can face following a death abroad. Gang violence controls large parts of Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite department. Civil registration has functionally collapsed in many affected areas. If someone has died in Haiti, engage a specialist repatriation firm and the FCDO simultaneously — time and ground conditions matter enormously.
Your First Calls
1. Contact the FCDO immediately Call the FCDO’s 24-hour emergency line: 020 7008 5000. This is the most important first step. The FCDO will advise on current ground conditions, consular coverage, and what is currently achievable.
2. Contact the British High Commission, Kingston The British High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica provides non-resident consular services for Haiti. Tel: +1 876 936 0700.
3. Engage a specialist repatriation firm immediately Do not attempt to coordinate this from the UK independently. A specialist firm with current Haiti contacts is the only realistic path to repatriation in many cases. They will be honest about what is achievable given the location of death.
4. Notify your travel insurer Notify as early as possible. In Haiti cases, the insurer’s assistance company will likely be heavily involved. Provide all information about where and how death occurred.
What May Not Be Immediately Possible
In areas controlled by criminal gangs — including most of central Port-au-Prince, Cité Soleil, and parts of the Artibonite department — access to the body, access to civil registration offices, and access to mortuary facilities may be restricted or temporarily not possible. A specialist repatriation firm will give you an honest assessment of what is achievable from the specific location. This is important: setting realistic expectations protects families from additional distress.
Local Authorities and Documentation
Death registration in Haiti is handled by the Office National d’Identification (ONI). The Parquet Civil must review the case and issue clearance before export is authorised.
In areas with functioning civil administration, this process follows French civil law procedures. In areas where civil administration has collapsed, a specialist firm must use alternative channels and contacts to obtain the documentation needed.
Document Checklist
| Document | Issued By | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acte de décès (death certificate) | Office National d’Identification (ONI) | French — requires certified translation |
| Parquet Civil clearance | Parquet Civil | Required before export |
| Embalming certificate | Licensed local mortuary | Required for international transport |
| Freedom from infection certificate | Ministry of Health | Required before export |
| Export permit | Ministry of Interior | Issued after preceding documents |
| Consular death registration | British High Commission, Kingston | Required for UK death registration |
| UK Coroner’s permission | HM Coroner, UK | If death is referred to Coroner |
Routing to the UK
From Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP), Port-au-Prince:
- Via Miami: American Airlines — most direct US connection with onward UK flights
- Via New York (JFK): American Airlines and other carriers
Note: airport operations can be disrupted by security incidents. Your specialist firm will monitor this.
After Repatriation: UK Death Registration
The consular death registration from Kingston, together with certified translated Haitian documentation, supports UK death registration. HM Coroner may become involved where cause of death is unclear.
Further Reading
- Repatriation from Haiti to the UK — full country process guide
- What happens when someone dies abroad — overview of the full process
Sources: FCDO Travel Advice for Haiti (gov.uk, accessed May 2026); FCDO Consular Services guidance; UN Security Council Resolution 2699 (2023) on the Multinational Security Support Mission.
First things first
What to do in the first 24 hours
The immediate period after a death abroad is disorienting. Here are the steps in the order they normally need to happen.
Contact local emergency services
Contact the British Embassy or consulate
FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Appoint a local funeral director
A local funeral director in will take care of the body, arrange embalming, obtain the necessary documents, and coordinate with airlines. The embassy can recommend accredited directors. You can also contact a specialist UK repatriation company, who will coordinate with a local partner on your behalf.
Contact your travel insurer
If your loved one had travel insurance with repatriation cover, contact the insurer immediately. They will often have an emergency assistance line and may appoint their own funeral director. They may cover the full cost of repatriation, which can be .
Gather the required documents
Repatriation from requires specific paperwork before a body can be transported. Your local funeral director will handle most of this.
What to expect
How long does it take?
Cost guide
How much does it cost?
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WhatsApp us nowReviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Updated May 2026.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from · Frequently asked questions