Issuing authority and document: Paraguay is not among the parties to the 1973 Strasbourg Agreement on the transfer of corpses (Dutch treaty database, 13.10.2026), so the country's own rules and Moldova's requirements apply. The UK government guide for Paraguay (updated 11.09.2020, so old) says the death is registered with the local authorities. In the list of Moldovan missions on mfa.gov.md (13.10.2026) the country appears neither with its own mission nor among the countries served by other missions; we have not confirmed which mission serves it and are clarifying with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Transport: By air, with no land route: Asuncion is roughly 11,800 km from Chisinau in a straight line (our own calculation). The destination list of Chisinau airport (RMO; Wikipedia, 13.10.2026) shows no destination in South or Central America or the Caribbean; we have not checked direct flights in other sources, so the route and connections are set case by case. We found no official source for coffin and embalming requirements in Paraguay, so we settle them with the local funeral director before departure.
Timing: We confirm the timeline once we have the documents. In Paraguay it depends on the judge: the UK guide (2020) says the body may not be released until the judge is satisfied that local procedures are complete and no further tests are needed. We have no confirmed duration.
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 UK guide (2020), the death has to be registered in Paraguay within 24 hours; if that time has passed, a local lawyer is needed. A funeral director can sometimes register it. The guide notes that details about the deceased may be requested: full name, date of birth, passport number.

Moldova also requires a mortuary passport. According to mfa.gov.md, the mortuary passport is issued by Moldovan embassies or consulates, and a foreign death certificate must be legalised by the authorities of the state that issued it (mfa.gov.md/ro/content/deces, 13.10.2026).

Documents needed

The UK guide gives no full list of documents for taking a body abroad, and we found no official Paraguayan source; we settle the list with the local funeral director and on the Moldovan side rather than guess.

Paraguay is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention (in force from 30.08.2014; the HCCH table shows no objection, 13.10.2026), as is Moldova. The Romanian translation and the documents that need an apostille are settled in advance.

Specifics in Paraguay

The guide says autopsies are carried out in all cases of uncertain, violent or suspicious death, or when a judge requests one. Until the judge considers the procedures complete, the body may not be released for repatriation.

Cremation has to be authorised by the judge, and not every judge allows it. What Paraguay requires for transporting an urn we have not confirmed.

Frequently asked questions

How soon must a death be registered in Paraguay?

The UK government guide (11.09.2020) says within 24 hours; after that a local lawyer is needed. As the source is old, we re-check the rule with the local funeral director.

Are embalming and a special coffin compulsory?

We found no source describing this for Paraguay; the UK guide lists no requirements. We settle it with the funeral director before transport and match it to the airline's rules.

Can a judge delay the release of the body?

Yes: in cases of uncertain, violent or suspicious death, or at a judge's request, an autopsy is carried out and the body may be released only once the judge considers the procedures complete (UK guide, 2020).

Does Moldova have an embassy in Paraguay?

Paraguay does not appear in the list of missions on mfa.gov.md (13.10.2026). We have not confirmed which mission serves it and are clarifying with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before preparing consular documents.

Other countries

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Repatriation from Paraguay to Moldova