Issuing authority and document: Ghana is not among the 24 states listed for the Strasbourg Agreement on the Transfer of Corpses (list consulted 13.10.2026), so Ghanaian rules and the requirements of the Republic of Moldova apply. According to UK government guidance (updated 24.03.2026), the death is registered at the local births and deaths registry office, normally through the funeral director. The list of missions on mfa.gov.md (consulted 13.10.2026) shows no embassy in Ghana and does not name Ghana among the countries covered by another mission; we check the competent mission at the start.
Transport: Accra is roughly 5,400 km from Chișinău in a straight line (our own calculation from the cities' coordinates). Scheduled flights from Ghana do not appear in the list of destinations of Chișinău airport (secondary source, consulted 13.10.2026), so the journey most likely involves a connection; we have not verified which airlines and routes exist today. The airline and departure city are chosen with the family once the documents are seen.
Timing: The only timeframe in the UK guidance: the hospital usually issues the cause-of-death certificate within a week. The guidance gives no timings for the export licence, embalming or the flight; we confirm the timeline once we have the documents.
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 UK guidance (24.03.2026) says the death must be registered at the local births and deaths registry office, usually by the funeral director. It asks for full names and dates of birth, passports, the cause-of-death certificate and, if the death was outside a hospital, the post-mortem report. A death certificate is issued after registration; extra copies are advised.

A post-mortem is carried out by government-appointed pathologists in a hospital if the cause is unknown, unnatural, sudden or violent. The report can be requested and may have to be paid for.

Required documents

For repatriating a body to the UK the guidance lists the death certificate, an export licence and the passport; the authority issuing the export licence is not named, and the funeral director explains how to obtain it. What the Moldovan side additionally requires (mortuary passport, apostille, translations) we establish with the competent Moldovan mission rather than assume.

In the Hague Convention status table (updated 30.06.2026) we did not find a row for Ghana; we draw no conclusion about the apostille from this. Before submission we check whether a Ghanaian document can be used in Moldova and with what formalities.

Specifics of Ghana

The guidance says the body must be embalmed and placed in a zinc-lined coffin; embalming usually takes place after the post-mortem. Cremation is possible and the funeral director arranges it.

For ashes the guidance asks for the certificate of cremation, compliance with local rules on leaving the country, advance notice to the airline and a customs form on arrival. Ashes may not be sent by post or courier; air freight exists but can be expensive. The guidance is written for repatriation to the UK, so we confirm the requirements for Moldova separately.

Frequently asked questions

Who issues the export licence in Ghana?

The UK guidance does not name the authority; it only says the funeral director explains how to obtain it. We do not assume: we establish the specific authority and confirm it in writing before submission.

Is embalming compulsory?

UK government guidance says the body must be embalmed and placed in a zinc-lined coffin for transport. For Moldova we check whether the requirements are the same.

Can cremation be done in Ghana?

Yes, the guidance says local cremation is possible and the funeral director arranges it. For the urn the certificate of cremation and advance notice to the airline are needed.

Does Moldova have an embassy in Ghana?

The list of missions on mfa.gov.md (13.10.2026) shows no embassy in Ghana, nor Ghana among countries covered by another mission. Which mission is competent we clarify with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the start.

Other countries

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Repatriation from Ghana to Moldova