Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Mali
This guide explains what happens after a death in Mali, 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
Typical cost
FCDO 24hr helpline
+44 (0)20 7008 5000
Mali is governed by a military junta since the coup of May 2021. Colonel Assimi Goïta leads the Transition government, which controls all civil institutions including the Ministry of Health, civil registrars, and the Police Nationale. There is no resident British Embassy. Consular coverage comes from Dakar, Senegal. Air France suspended its Bamako service in 2023.
UK deaths in Mali most commonly involve aid workers, NGO staff, diplomats, and journalists. The country has a large French-speaking professional community working in development and security contexts.
First step
Call the FCDO Emergency Travel Line: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). British Embassy Dakar, Senegal: +221 33 823 7392.
Do not travel to Mali. FCDO advises against all travel to the north and all but essential to most of the country.
British Embassy Dakar: non-resident coverage
No British Embassy in Mali. All consular services come from the British Embassy in Dakar. The Embassy registers the death for UK purposes and provides guidance on engaging local documentation channels.
Civil registration
Mali operates French civil law. The attending physician certifies cause of death in French. The état civil (civil status registrar) issues the acte de décès (death certificate) in French.
For non-natural deaths, the Parquet (public prosecutor’s office) must issue judicial clearance. Under junta administration, this step has no guaranteed timeline. For straightforward accident cases in Bamako, allow 7 to 14 days. For cases involving security incidents, much longer.
Ministry of Health export permit
Once the death certificate and Parquet clearance are in hand, the Ministry of Health issues the export permit. A licensed funeral director prepares and embalms the body. All documents require certified English translation.
Document checklist
| Document | Language | Issuer |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate (acte de décès) | French | État civil (civil registrar) |
| Medical certificate | French | Attending physician |
| Parquet judicial clearance | French | Public prosecutor’s office |
| Police Nationale clearance | French | Police Nationale du Mali |
| Ministry of Health export permit | French | Ministry of Health |
| Certified translations | English | Certified translator |
Routing
Bamako-Sénou International Airport (BKO):
- Ethiopian Airlines to Addis Ababa (ADD) — best UK cargo route
- Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca (CMN)
- Air Côte d’Ivoire to Abidjan (ABJ)
Air France suspended Bamako service in 2023. All UK cargo routes require connections.
Conflict zones: not accessible
Northern Mali — Kidal, Gao, Timbuktu regions — is under JNIM and ISWAP-affiliated group control. Body recovery from these areas is not achievable. Central Mali border zones (Ménaka, northern Mopti) are also severely constrained.
What to do first
FCDO: 020 7008 5000. British Embassy Dakar: +221 33 823 7392.
Engage a specialist firm with West African Francophone experience and current junta-era Bamako contacts. Do not travel. All management must be handled remotely.
Sources: UK FCDO Mali travel advice (gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mali, updated 2024); British Embassy Dakar.
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