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AfricaRepatriation to the DR Congo and back to Germany
According to the German Federal Foreign Office’s status list, the Democratic Republic of the Congo applies the 1937 Berlin Agreement on the transport of corpses. We transfer the deceased in a coffin or an urn to Kinshasa or Lubumbashi and bring the deceased home from the DR Congo to Germany.
Rudolf Nordheimer and team – in German, Russian or English.
Democratic Republic of the Congo at a glance
- Transport route
- Air freight with a transfer, usually via a European hub such as Brussels
- Destination airports
- Kinshasa N'djili (FIH); Lubumbashi (FBM), usually via African hubs
- Certificates
- no apostille (the DR Congo is not a party); German legalisation of Congolese documents discontinued
- Agreements
- Berlin Agreement of 1937 on the transport of corpses (continued in force since 30.06.1960)
- Representation in Germany
- Embassy in Berlin; honorary consulates in Düsseldorf (NRW) and Bohmte (northern Germany)
- German mission in the country
- Embassy in Kinshasa; honorary consulates in Lubumbashi and Bukavu
Repatriation from Germany to the DR Congo
Repatriation to the DR Congo is carried out by air freight. To Kinshasa, the coffin travels with a transfer at a European hub, such as Brussels; we clarify which connection accepts freight when booking. Lubumbashi in the south is usually reached via African hubs. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, most Congolese airlines are on the EU Air Safety List.
Germany and the DR Congo are both parties to the 1937 Berlin Agreement on the transport of corpses. The German body passport (Leichenpass), issued by the competent authority at the place of death, is therefore the key accompanying document. In addition, many consulates require a certificate confirming freedom from infectious disease and a soldered metal liner in the coffin. The contact point is the Embassy of the DR Congo in Berlin (Ulmenallee 42a); for North Rhine-Westphalia there is an honorary consulate in Düsseldorf. We clarify in advance which confirmation the embassy currently requires.
For the journey from N'djili Airport into the city, the German Federal Foreign Office advises caution, especially after dark. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, demonstrations, roadblocks and temporary restrictions on mobile networks and the internet may occur in Kinshasa (as of October 2026). We therefore plan the handover to the family or funeral director with fixed times and contact persons.
- Body passportfrom the competent German authority, accompanying document under the Berlin Agreement of 1937
- Death certificatefrom the German civil registry office, international or French version
- Certificate of freedom from infectious diseasesfrom a doctor or public health officer
- Coffining certificateConfirmation of the hermetically sealed coffin with metal liner
- Passport or ID of the deceasedfor import and the authorities in Kinshasa
Death in the DR Congo – repatriation to Germany
If a relative dies in the DR Congo, the municipal civil registrar (officier de l'état civil) issues the death certificate (acte de décès). A local funeral director takes care of the deceased and brings them to a mortuary. If the cause of death is unclear, the police investigate; this can delay the release.
The German Embassy in Kinshasa offers all consular services. There are honorary consulates in Lubumbashi (Katanga) and Bukavu (North and South Kivu). The embassy can advise, name funeral directors and issue documents for the repatriation. The costs are borne by the relatives. The situation in the east of the country is difficult: according to the German Federal Foreign Office, Goma and Bukavu are under the control of M23, and Goma Airport has suspended scheduled services (as of October 2026). Repatriation from these areas is only possible to a limited extent.
Infectious diseases such as Ebola recur in the DR Congo. In such cases strict requirements apply to the deceased; we check every case with the authorities. Subsequent registration of the death in Germany is handled by the civil registry office at the last place of residence. Congolese documents are not legalised by German missions; German authorities can arrange for a document verification instead.
- Acte de décèsDeath certificate from the Congolese civil registry office
- Medical certificateon the cause of death and freedom from infectious disease
- Body passportAccompanying document under the Berlin Agreement; we clarify the issuing office with the German Embassy in Kinshasa
- Passport of the deceasedfor export and registration in Germany
Good to know: mourning and burial in the DR Congo
For many families, a funeral in Kinshasa is a major event with a wake, often in a specially rented hall. It is not unusual for the deceased to remain in the mortuary for several weeks until the family has prepared everything. For a repatriation from Germany, we coordinate the arrival with these arrangements.
The official language is French; documents from Kinshasa are usually in French and must be translated for German authorities. For relatives travelling with the deceased: the visa must be applied for in advance at the embassy in Berlin and takes at least ten days; none are issued at the border. Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory on entry. We speak with relatives in German or English and have French documents translated where needed.
Urn transfer to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
An accompanying document is also customary for an urn under the Berlin Agreement; German missions abroad issue an urn certificate for this purpose. We were unable to find a specific rule from the Congolese embassy for import into the DR Congo. We ask before the journey which documents are required. In any case, the death certificate and the cremation certificate must be carried; whether the urn travels as freight or in the luggage is decided by the airline. An urn transfer can be scheduled with more flexibility than a coffin, for example to fit in with a family memorial service in Kinshasa.
More about urn transferFixed price for repatriation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tell us where the deceased is now. We check what the Democratic Republic of the Congo requires and send you a written fixed price – free of charge and without obligation.
- Free and without obligation
- Written fixed price, no extra charges later
- Your data stays with us
- Request
- –
- Urgency
- Immediately
- Contact
- Phone call
Your enquiry goes directly to Rudolf Nordheimer. You will receive a written fixed price.
Frequently asked questions about the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Your question isn’t here? Call us – we will answer right away.
All questionsDoes the Berlin Agreement apply to repatriations to the DR Congo?
Yes. According to the German Federal Foreign Office’s status list, the DR Congo has continued to apply the 1937 International Agreement on the transport of corpses since independence on 30.06.1960. The German body passport (Leichenpass) is therefore the key accompanying document. We clarify any additional requirements of the embassy in advance.
How does a coffin get to Kinshasa?
By air freight with a transfer, usually via a European hub such as Brussels. We check which connection accepts the coffin as freight when booking. At N'djili Airport, the family or a local funeral director takes over.
Can a deceased person be repatriated to Lubumbashi?
Yes, usually with a transfer at an African hub. We plan the connection according to freight capacity. There is a German honorary consulate in Lubumbashi.
Is repatriation from Goma or Bukavu possible?
Only to a limited extent. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, M23 controls Goma and Bukavu, and Goma Airport has suspended scheduled services (as of October 2026). We check with the German Embassy in Kinshasa on a case-by-case basis which route is possible.
Which Congolese mission in Germany is responsible?
The Embassy of the DR Congo in Berlin is responsible for all of Germany. For North Rhine-Westphalia there is an honorary consulate in Düsseldorf, and for Lower Saxony, Bremen, Hamburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Schleswig-Holstein there is one in Bohmte.
Sources: German Federal Foreign Office: Status list of the International Agreement on the transport of corpses (Berlin 1937) · German Federal Foreign Office: DR Congo – travel and safety advice (as of 06.10.2026) · German Federal Foreign Office: Missions of the DR Congo in Germany · German Federal Foreign Office: German missions in the DR Congo · German Federal Foreign Office: Recognition of documents – countries where legalisation has been discontinued · Radio Okapi / AllAfrica: Le coût des obsèques, un lourd fardeau (July 2026) · German Federal Foreign Office: Consular assistance in the event of death
Information provided without guarantee, as of 10/2026. Requirements of authorities and airlines change; we check them for each case.
We are here for you now
Day and night, including weekends. One call is all it takes to get the repatriation under way.