Repatriation of remains between Brazil and Portugal
Brazil and Portugal share a long history, with families and communities connected across the Atlantic. When someone passes away far from home, bringing them back to their family can be an important part of saying goodbye. Arranging an international transfer, however, involves careful preparation, official permissions and coordination between funeral directors in both countries.
Homeland International arranges repatriation between Brazil and Portugal in both directions. Whether a loved one has died in Brazil and needs to return to Portugal, or has passed away in Portugal and is to be brought to Brazil, we can help organise the transportation and guide you through the practical arrangements.
Our Americas Hub in Miami with the support of our team based in South America and our global assistance centre in the UK are well positioned to support with any repatriation in Portugal or Brazil.
How does repatriation between Portugal and Brazil work?
The procedures depend on where the death occurred and the intended destination. Brazil and Portugal have different systems for authorising international transfers, so the requirements for each direction need to be considered separately.
From Brazil to Portugal
When someone dies in Brazil and the family wishes to bring them to Portugal, the local funeral director will arrange the preparation of the deceased and obtain the necessary Brazilian documentation.
The Brazilian authorities require specific documents for the international transportation of human remains. These can include the original death record, a certificate confirming embalming or preservation, a medical certificate addressing infectious-disease risk and permission for the removal and transportation of the deceased.
The Portuguese authorities must also be consulted about the entry requirements. Portugal issues a livre-trânsito mortuário for international transfers, following confirmation that the relevant medical, sanitary and legal formalities have been completed. Additional destination-country and consular documentation may be needed for a transfer from Brazil.
From Portugal to Brazil
If a loved one dies in Portugal and the family wishes to return them to Brazil, the arrangements begin with local death registration and the necessary release and sanitary formalities.
A Portuguese mortuary transit document must be obtained for the international journey. The Brazilian consular authorities can provide guidance on the documentation for the transfer, while the Brazilian airport and health requirements must be checked before departure.
The receiving funeral director in Brazil plays an important role in arranging the arrival and release of the deceased at the airport and coordinating the onward funeral arrangements.
In either direction, if the death is subject to a police or judicial investigation, the appropriate release authorisation must be obtained before transportation can proceed.
What documents are required for repatriation between Portugal and Brazil?
The paperwork varies according to the country of departure, the destination and whether the family is transporting a body or ashes.
For the international transportation of a body, documents may include:
Original death certificate or civil death record.
Medical certificate confirming the cause of death.
Passport or identity documents of the deceased.
Embalming or preservation certificate.
Medical or sanitary certificate addressing infectious-disease risk.
Authorisation for removal and international transportation.
Mortuary transit document or consular transfer authorisation.
Coffin preparation and sealing documentation, where required.
Airline cargo documentation and air waybill.
Judicial authorisation, if applicable.
Brazilian requirements
Brazil has specific rules for the transportation of human remains through its airports. The documentation presented for airport authorisation can include the original death record, preservation or embalming certificate, medical certificate confirming the absence of an infectious disease, and the original mortuary transit permission issued by the competent local authority.
Additional coffin requirements may apply depending on the circumstances of the death. The receiving funeral director and relevant authorities should confirm the arrangements before the shipment is booked.
Portuguese requirements
In Portugal, the livre-trânsito mortuário is an important document for international transfers. It confirms that the required medical, sanitary and administrative formalities have been completed and that the coffin meets the applicable conditions.
Portugal’s procedures also take account of the destination country. Because Brazil is outside the relevant European arrangements, the additional requirements for the Brazilian destination must be checked rather than assuming that a document used for transfers within Europe will be sufficient.
Our team can help coordinate the paperwork with the funeral directors and authorities involved, reducing the risk of missing documents or delays in confirming the journey.
Repatriation of ashes between Brazil and Portugal
Some families choose to arrange cremation locally and bring the ashes back to the country where relatives live. This can be a suitable alternative to transporting a coffin, but the documentation and airline conditions are different.
For ashes travelling to Brazil, the Brazilian authorities require the cremated remains to be placed in a sealed, impermeable urn. The family may also need to provide the death and cremation certificates and any consular declaration or supporting documentation requested.
For ashes travelling to Portugal, the process is generally less complex than transporting a body, as the same sanitary transfer requirements do not apply. However, the cremation certificate, identification details and airline conditions should still be checked before travel.
Homeland International can help establish the appropriate arrangements for either a coffin or ashes and explain what needs to be organised before departure.
How much does repatriation between Portugal and Brazil cost?
The cost of repatriation depends on the location of the death, the destination city and the services required. International flight arrangements across the Atlantic are an important part of the quotation, alongside local preparation and official documentation.
Costs may include:
Collection and transfer from the place of death.
Funeral director services and preparation of the deceased.
International coffin and approved transportation arrangements.
Mortuary transit and sanitary documentation.
Consular services and document authentication, where required.
Airline cargo charges and airport handling.
Road transportation to the receiving funeral home.
The final price can also vary depending on whether the destination is a major city such as São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Lisbon or Porto, or whether further road transportation is needed.
We will discuss the circumstances with you and provide a quotation based on the route and services required.
Which airports can we repatriate to in Portugal and Brazil?
Choosing the right airport is an important part of planning an international transfer. The most suitable option depends on the deceased’s location, the receiving funeral home and which airlines can accept the shipment.
Airports in Brazil
Potential international gateways include:
São Paulo – São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport.
Rio de Janeiro – Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport.
Brasília – Brasília International Airport.
Recife – Recife/Guararapes International Airport.
Salvador – Salvador International Airport.
Fortaleza – Fortaleza International Airport.
Porto Alegre – Salgado Filho International Airport.
Airports in Portugal
Potential international gateways include:
Lisbon – Humberto Delgado Airport.
Porto – Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport.
Faro – Faro Airport.
These are examples of international gateways, not confirmation that every airport or airline can accept human remains. Cargo facilities, airline acceptance, customs arrangements and the necessary health permissions must be checked for each individual shipment. Where the final destination is away from the arrival airport, onward road transportation may also be arranged.
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