Repatriating a body from Belgium to the DRC
Bringing a loved one home to the Congo is often the last thing you can do for them. From Belgium, two federal services are involved, then the DRC embassy: here is the order.
The essentials
From Belgium, transporting the body requires a mortuary pass, issued by the FPS Public Health on an online application, often made by the funeral home. Belgian records intended for the DRC are legalised at the FPS Foreign Affairs, then at the DRC embassy.
The steps, in order
- 01
Choose a funeral home authorised for international transport
It coordinates the care, the coffining, the authorisations and the flight, and usually submits the mortuary pass application itself.
- 02
Obtain the mortuary pass
It authorises the international transport of the deceased and is only issued once all legal and health conditions are met. The application is made online to the FPS Public Health; Saniport staff at Brussels Airport process it and send the document by email.
- 03
Have the Belgian records legalised
The DRC does not apply the apostille: a Belgian record must be legalised for use there. The FPS Foreign Affairs legalises it, after any prior legalisation by the competent Belgian authority; for a civil status record, you can apply online through eLegalisation. Since 1 August 2026, each legalisation costs 25 euros.
- 04
Have the DRC embassy affix the final legalisation
For a country that does not apply the apostille, the embassy or consulate of the destination country affixes the final legalisation. Contact the DRC embassy in Belgium.
- 05
Ask the embassy for the list of documents
We found no list published by the Congolese authorities for the entry of a body. Ask the DRC embassy for it in writing before gathering anything: only it can provide it.
- 06
Book the flight and plan the arrival
Not all airlines accept this transport. On arrival, someone must receive the body, complete the formalities and take it to the place of burial: appoint them before departure.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues the mortuary pass in Belgium?
The FPS Public Health, on an online application processed by the Saniport service at Brussels Airport. The funeral home usually submits it for the family.
Is an apostille or a legalisation needed for the DRC?
A legalisation: the DRC is not party to the Hague Apostille Convention. The Belgian record is legalised by the FPS Foreign Affairs, then by the DRC embassy.
How much does legalisation cost?
At the FPS Foreign Affairs, 25 euros per legalisation since 1 August 2026. The DRC embassy sets its own fees: ask for them together with the list of documents.
The repatriation, followed with the family
In your Milele file, the repatriation steps are added as soon as the country of death and the country of burial differ. The family, here and back home, sees what has been done and can take care of it.
Open a file for freeRead also
- Estate: where to startThe first steps of an estate in France: the bank, the notary, the choice to accept or renounce, and the estate declaration within six months.
- Financial help after a death in FranceThe CPAM death grant, the survivor's pension, the widowhood allowance, life insurance and protection plans: who is entitled, how much, and within what deadlines.
- A deceased person's online accounts: Facebook, Google, AppleWhat to do with a deceased loved one's online accounts: turn a Facebook profile into a memorialised account, close a Google account, access Apple data through the Legacy Contact.
Official sources
- SPF Santé publique — Rapatriement d'un défunt
- SPF Affaires étrangères — Légalisation de documents
- SPF Affaires étrangères — Légaliser un document belge pour l'étranger
- HCCH — États parties à la convention apostille
Updated on October 26, 2026. This guide summarises the usual steps; it does not replace advice from a notary, a lawyer or your country's authorities. How we write our guides