When someone dies in Cameroon
This guide gives advice about the death of a British person in Cameroon, including information on burial, cremation and repatriation.
If you are dealing with the death of a child, multiple deaths, a suspicious death or a case of murder or manslaughter, contact:
The British High Commission in Cameroon has details below:
Contact Details:
British High Commission
Avenue Winston Churchill,
P.O Box 547, Yaounde.
Tel: +44 207 008 3355 (24H/7)
Email: Consular Yaounde Enquiries consularyaoundeenquiries@fco.gov.uk
Website: www.gov.uk/government/world/cameroon/
Contacting the travel insurance company
If the person who died had insurance, contact their insurance company as soon as possible. Read the What to do when someone dies abroad - GOV.UK if you’re not sure if they had insurance.
The insurance company should appoint a funeral director in Cameroon and the UK. They may also cover the cost of bringing the person’s body to the UK (repatriation) and help with any medical, legal, interpretation and translation fees.
What to do if the person who died didn’t have insurance
If you’re unsure whether the deceased had insurance, check with their bank, credit card company, or employer.
If the deceased did not have insurance, a relative or a formally appointed representative will typically need to appoint a funeral director and take responsibility for all associated costs.
Please note that the FCDO cannot assist with any costs. In some cases, funeral directors and lawyers may offer services on a pro bono basis. Pro bono work is provided free of charge or at a reduced cost, depending on your circumstances. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Registering the death
Deaths must be registered in the country where the person died. You must register the death with the Hospital where the person died, and you should have done all the police and legal registration.
You’ll need information and documents about the person who has died, including their:
- Full names
- Dates of birth
- Official identity document (for example their British passport)
- Passport of the person who died
- The cause of death certificate – the hospital where the person died usually Issues this within a week
- The post-mortem report if the person died outside a hospital
Getting A Death Certificate
After registering the death, you will get a death certificate. It’s worth asking for extra certified copies of the death certificate, as you might need them to show to people later.
Post-mortems in Cameroon
Post-mortems are normally performed when the cause of death is unknown, unnatural, sudden or violent. Post-mortems are carried out by forensic doctors appointed by the court. Cultural or religious sensitivities may not be considered. The FCDO cannot stop or interfere with the process.
Please note: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not able to cover the cost of a post-mortem.
Autopsies
Autopsies are generally only carried out when the cause of death is suspicious (examples include cases where complaints by relatives or other reliable sources suggest unnatural death such as suicide or murder). It is frequently difficult to obtain autopsy reports. An autopsy will usually be carried out upon the request of the police, the court and/or a request by a legal representative. Even in these circumstances it is possible that an autopsy will not be conducted due to insufficient time/medical staff in the hospital concerned. It should be noted that the standard of autopsies carried out in Cameroon falls somewhat below the U.K. standard. In most cases, it will be preferable to have an autopsy carried out in the United Kingdom once the body has been repatriated. Normally, a copy of the autopsy report will be requested by the British High Commission in Cameroon; although this process can be very long and may not always result in a copy of the report being made available. The U.K. High Commission is not aware of any instances of organs being retained, either with or without the consent of the next-of-kin.
Burying or Cremating the Body in Cameroon
Cremation
Cremation services are available on a limited basis. Currently, Yaounde General Hospital, the Military Hospital and the Geneco-Obstetric Hospital are the only known service providers in Yaounde City. The Douala General Hospital is the only service provider in Douala. Cremated remains are stored in a small bag, encased in a hardwood box, and sealed by soldering to facilitate repatriation outside of the country.
Cost
The fees below are provided by “Fune service Belgique” an international funeral home with a branch in Yaounde, Cameroon, that deals in the repatriation of remains abroad. All fees are approximate, and actual costs may vary depending on the distance from the actual place of death to the nearest airport, availability of flights and time of the year (low or high season). Charges are based on the estimated exchange rate: £1.00 = 738 FCFA (local currency). Transportation Local ground transportation: £ 200 other services Embalming and treatment: £ 400 Assistance for clearance: £ 800 Coffin and accessories: £ 700 Internal Cost Service provider administrative fees: £ 600
Bringing the body to the UK
Repatriation and Burial Both repatriation and local burial are possible. Authorization to repatriate the body can be obtained by a funeral home or service with the assistance of the High Commission. A quote is usually given to the client at the beginning of the operations and the High Commission advises reaching an agreement in writing on costs of services prior to any rendering of services to avoid disputes about costs later in the process. Repatriation costs to the United Kingdom are approximately £ 2000, including local ground transportation. Funeral homes also do provide embalming and treatment services (about £ 500), assistance for clearance (about £ 700), and can provide coffins and accessories (about £ 750)
In addition to the services fees above, a funeral home may also charge an administrative fee of about £ 400. Note that these costs, especially repatriation costs, are estimates and are variable upon the transportation company. Most used airline companies based in Cameroon that will transport remains are AIR FRANCE (+237) 22222-9327 SN BRUSSELS (+237) 23342-0243/ 23342-0515 Local burial is possible with the assistance of a funeral home. Alternatively, local churches and missionary organisations can also help. The cost for coffins suitable for local burial range from £ 150 to £ 250, transportation of remains, funeral home and administrative fees approximately £ 200.
Bringing the ashes to the UK
Ask your funeral director about the rules for bringing ashes to the UK.
Bringing the ashes to the UK yourself
If you choose local cremation and wish to take the ashes back to the UK yourself, you can usually do so.
If you are taking the ashes with you when you leave Cameroon, you will need to:
- Show the death certificate
- Show the cremation certificate
- Follow local regulations about leaving Cameroon with ashes – your funeral director can give you more information
- Tell the airline in advance – ask your funeral director for more information.
- Fill in a standard customs form when you arrive home
Arranging for the ashes to be taken to the UK
If it is not possible for you to transport the ashes yourself, a funeral director will be able to make the necessary arrangements. The FCDO provides a list of UK-based international funeral directors - GOV.UK
Getting the person’s belongings back
Personal effects are normally returned to the family by the authorities. If the family is not in Cameroon, the authorities may hand them over to a nominated person in Cameroon (usually a friend or family member).
The FCDO cannot help with the cost of returning personal belongings to the family.
The British High Commission in Cameroon cannot take responsibility for the personal belongings of the person who died.
Finding a Cameroonian Lawyer
You may need a lawyer to help you understand the Cameroon legal system when someone has died. Check Find a professional service abroad - Find a lawyer in Cameroon. The British High Commission in Cameroon cannot give you legal advice or pay for legal costs.
Telling the UK authorities
Although you do not have to register the death in the UK, when someone dies abroad you still need to tell the UK authorities. Read What to do when someone dies abroad - GOV.UK to find out what to do.
Contacting the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
You can contact the FCDO if you still need advice:
- In the UK call +44 (0)20 7008 5000
- See GOV.UK - Help for British people abroad
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