Issuing authority and document: Dominica is not on the list of 24 states for the Strasbourg Agreement on the Transfer of Corpses (1973), which we consulted on 13.10.2026, so local rules and the requirements of the Republic of Moldova apply. According to the British government guide (updated 05.01.2026), a death is registered in the births, marriages and deaths section of the Registry Department of Dominica, by relatives or by a funeral director they appoint. The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs page on Dominica (consulted 13.10.2026) records diplomatic relations since 29.05.2012 but does not say which mission serves the country, so we clarify with the Ministry which mission issues the mortuary passport.
Transport: By air. In a straight line it is about 8,800 km from Roseau to Chișinău (our own calculation). We have not verified which airlines carry remains from the island or any direct flight to Chișinău (RMO); the Wikipedia destination list of that airport, read on 13.10.2026, shows no Caribbean destination. The route is chosen case by case.
Timing: We confirm the timeline once we have the documents. According to the British guide a post-mortem is usually completed within four days, subject to the pathologist's availability, and the death certificate is requested after it. If the certificate is not yet available, for example during a police investigation, the police may issue a permissive warrant that allows repatriation.
Price: We will quote the price once we know the details.

Country status under the 1973 Strasbourg Agreement on the Transfer of Corpses: per the Council of Europe list (archived 20.05.2014) and the Netherlands treaty database; checked 11.10.2026.

Procedure

The British guide says a post-mortem is usually carried out in all cases by court-appointed forensic doctors, and the death certificate is requested afterwards. Relatives can formally ask the authorities not to have one, but the outcome is for the authorities to decide. If there is no post-mortem, the hospital's Medical Certificate of Death is needed.

Cold storage is available at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital in a small number of places, and the larger funeral directors also have it. All documents, including the death certificate, are issued in English.

Required documents

For repatriating remains the guide lists the local civil registry death certificate, a certificate of embalming and a certificate giving permission to transfer the remains; a funeral director who registers the death needs a letter of authorisation. If the death certificate is not yet available, the police may issue a permissive warrant. A coffin requirement and a separate export permit are not described, so we clarify them with the funeral director and the Moldovan mission.

Dominica is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention (succession 22.10.2002, in force since 03.11.1978, per the HCCH table consulted on 13.10.2026) and the table shows no objection by the Republic of Moldova, so Dominican documents are, as a rule, apostilled. The translation and the exact list for the Moldovan side are agreed in advance.

Specifics of Dominica

According to the British guide Dominica has no cremation facilities; the body must be taken to Barbados or St. Lucia for cremation. To leave the country with ashes the guide lists the certificate of cremation and the death certificate or the permissive warrant.

Scattering of ashes is allowed in certain parts of the island, with the permission of local authorities and the Environmental Health Department. The information comes from a guide for British citizens; we have not checked an official text of Dominica.

Frequently asked questions

Why does a post-mortem come first in Dominica?

According to the British guide (05.01.2026) it is usually carried out in all cases and the death certificate is requested afterwards. We take this order into account when planning the dates.

What is a permissive warrant?

A police document that, per the British guide, can allow repatriation when the death certificate is not yet available, for example during a police investigation. We check with the Moldovan side whether it is accepted.

Is there a crematorium in Dominica?

No, according to the British guide. Cremation is possible only after taking the body to Barbados or St. Lucia.

Can ashes be scattered in Dominica itself?

The guide says it is allowed in certain parts of the island, with the permission of local authorities and the Environmental Health Department. For scattering at sea local advice is needed on suitable places.

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Repatriation from Dominica to Moldova