Issuing authority and document: Kenya is not on the public list of parties to the Strasbourg Agreement on the Transfer of Corpses (1973), which we consulted on 13.10.2026, so Kenyan rules and the requirements of the Republic of Moldova apply. According to the British government guide for Kenya (published 21.05.2024), the death is registered at the Civil Registration Office or a Huduma centre, usually through the funeral director. The list of Moldovan missions (consulted 13.10.2026) shows no mission in Kenya; we clarify with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which embassy or consulate issues the mortuary passport.
Transport: By air: in a straight line it is about 5,400 km from Nairobi and about 5,800 km from Mombasa to Chișinău (our own calculation). The list of destinations of Chișinău airport (Wikipedia, consulted 13.10.2026) does not include Kenya; we have not verified whether there are direct flights or only connections, so the route is planned for each case.
Timing: We confirm the timeline once we have the documents. The British guide gives no time limits for Kenya; it depends on the registration office, the funeral director, the airline's requirements and the chosen route.
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

According to the British guide, the death is registered at the Civil Registration Office or a Huduma centre; the funeral director can normally do this. After registration a death certificate in English is issued.

The guide lists a burial permit among the documents for registration but does not explain how to obtain it; who issues it and whether it is also used for export abroad we have not found in an official source, so we confirm it with the funeral director.

Required documents

For registration the British guide asks for the passport or ID of the deceased, the burial permit and details of place, cause and date of death. For Moldova we usually prepare the death certificate, the documents of the person applying and, if needed, a translation from English. We have not found Kenyan requirements for the coffin, embalming or export of remains in an official source, so we confirm them with the funeral director and the authorities.

We did not find Kenya in the status table of the Hague Apostille Convention (consulted 13.10.2026), so we do not assume an apostille and agree with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs how Kenyan documents are legalised.

Specifics of Kenya

The British guide says a burial or cremation is arranged through a local funeral director. If a person carries the ashes, the death certificate and the cremation certificate are needed, and Kenyan rules on leaving with ashes must be followed; the airline is told in advance.

Ashes may not be sent by post or courier, but air freight is possible. This is a guide for British nationals and does not replace the requirements of the Kenyan authorities.

Frequently asked questions

Where is a death registered in Kenya?

According to the British government guide, at the Civil Registration Office or a Huduma centre. The funeral director usually handles this step.

What is the burial permit?

The British guide mentions it among the registration documents without explaining how to get it. Who issues it and its role for export we confirm with the funeral director.

Are Kenyan documents apostilled?

We did not find Kenya in the Hague Apostille Convention table consulted on 13.10.2026, so we do not assume an apostille. We agree the legalisation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Can a relative carry the ashes home?

According to the British guide, yes: with the death certificate and the cremation certificate, following Kenyan rules and telling the airline in advance. Ashes cannot be sent by post or courier.

Other countries

Request

If the form does not send, please write to us in a messenger:

WhatsApp Viber Telegram

Repatriation from Kenya to Moldova