Islamic body repatriation insurance pays for transporting the deceased to the country of burial, the ritual washing and the formalities. In France, takaful offers remain extremely rare, and most families rely on conventional funeral plans adapted to Muslim rites.
A need specific to diaspora families
Many Muslims settled in Europe wish to be buried in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia or sub-Saharan Africa. Flying the coffin, obtaining consular authorisations and paying for a relative to accompany it is an expense that families often have to gather within a few days.
Sakina, the first takaful death and repatriation offer announced in France
The Marseille-based wholesale broker SAAFI announced Sakina on 25 March 2020, presented as the first takaful death, funeral and repatriation offer in France. The carrying insurer was not named, and the product's current activity could not be confirmed in 2026.
Sakina's announced features
Sakina offered sums of 2,000, 3,500, 5,000 or 7,000 euros, paid to a named beneficiary, either a person or a funeral director. Membership was open from age 12 to 85 with no medical questionnaire, and French tax residence was required.
The funeral plan adapted to Muslim rites
Without a broad takaful offer, the French market relies on conventional funeral plans adapted to Muslim practice: ritual washing, shroud, burial without cremation and a specialised funeral provider. Repatriation is an option rather than standard, sometimes capped at only 2,000 euros.
What cover costs in France
In September 2026, a comparison site reported about 10 to 15 euros monthly at 40 and 20 to 30 euros at 60, for a sum of 5,000 to 7,000 euros. Some offers claim to be riba-free, a claim to verify contractually.
Repatriation to Morocco: points to watch
For Morocco, LesMRE quotes premiums from around twenty euros a year when joining young and often over 100 euros when joining late. The accompanying relative's ticket is frequently optional, and the journey to the cemetery is sometimes excluded.
The SAA product for Algerians in France
In January 2011, the Algerian state insurer SAA launched a repatriation product at 25 euros per person per year, sold through BIA in Paris. The article mentioned about 620 bodies repatriated in 2010 from the Paris consular district. See Algeria.
Waiting period and no medical questionnaire
Policies without a medical questionnaire almost always apply a waiting period: a death from illness early in the contract is not covered, and only accidental death is covered straight away. This is the trade-off for simplified enrolment, even for older applicants.
Death during the pilgrimage to Mecca
The insurance included in the Hajj visa through Nusuk, provided by Tawuniya, covers repatriation of the remains up to 10,000 riyals. Many pilgrims nonetheless prefer to be buried there. Our page on Hajj insurance details this cover.
Belgium: the Covid-19 episode
In April 2020, when bodies could no longer be repatriated, the Moroccan embassy in Brussels announced help with funeral costs in Belgium for families in need or without insurance. This episode is a reminder that cover should also provide for local burial.
How a takaful model would handle this risk
In genuine takaful, contributions feed a tabarru fund owned by participants, managed for a wakala fee and invested in compliant assets. The surplus goes back to members. Our page on takaful funeral cover compares this structure with funeral plans.
Community and association-based solutions
Outside insurers, associations and mosque solidarity funds have historically organised repatriation, a community effort that the SAA product was meant to complement in 2011. Check their statutes, available financial reserves and membership seniority rules before relying on them.
Setting up repatriation cover
- Choose the country and town of burial, then check that the destination is expressly covered in the contract.
- Ask whether the offer is genuine takaful with a participants' fund and a sharia committee, or an adapted conventional funeral plan.
- Compare the sum insured, the contribution, the waiting period and whether a companion's ticket is included.
- Check that ritual washing, the shroud and transport from the arrival airport to the cemetery are paid for.
- Name the beneficiary clearly, a relative or a funeral director, and tell the family that the contract exists.
- On death, contact the assistance provider or insurer immediately before committing any costs with a funeral director.
Price benchmarks for repatriation (indicative)
| Option | Indicative amount reported | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Muslim-rite funeral plan, age 40 | 10 to 15 euros a month | Comparison site, September 2026 |
| Muslim-rite funeral plan, age 60 | 20 to 30 euros a month | Comparison site, September 2026 |
| Repatriation to Morocco, joining young | From around twenty euros a year | LesMRE, no official rate |
| SAA Algeria product | 25 euros per person per year | March 2011 article, dated figure |
| Sakina (takaful) | Sums from 2,000 to 7,000 euros | SAAFI announcement, March 2020 |
Information and documents to gather
- Identity document and proof of tax residence
- Preferred country and town of burial
- Identity of the beneficiary or the named funeral director
- Contact details of the person who will accompany the body
- Death certificate and medical certificate at the time of the claim
- Consular documents required by the destination country
Mistakes that cost families dearly
- Believing every Muslim funeral plan includes repatriation, when it is often an option with a limited cap.
- Joining late without a medical questionnaire and ignoring the waiting period, which excludes death from illness early in the contract.
- Forgetting transport between the airport and the burial site, which is sometimes excluded from repatriation cover to Morocco.
- Mistaking a riba-free sales argument for takaful, with no identified participants' fund and no sharia committee.
- Relying on the Hajj visa insurance for a death outside Saudi Arabia, where it does not apply.
Repatriating the deceased: your questions
Is there genuine takaful repatriation cover in France?
In 2020 SAAFI announced Sakina, presented as the first takaful death, funeral and repatriation offer in France, without naming the carrying insurer. Its current activity could not be confirmed. Most families therefore use conventional funeral plans adapted to Muslim rites.
How much does repatriating a body cost?
There is no official rate. A 2011 article mentioned about 3,000 euros for repatriation to Algeria, a figure that is now dated. The cost depends on the destination, air transport, formalities and the accompanying relative.
Does the contract cover the accompanying relative?
Not always. According to LesMRE, the companion's plane ticket is often offered as an option for Morocco, and Meilleurtaux notes that only some contracts include it. Check this in writing before you sign anything.
What does the compulsory Hajj insurance provide in case of death?
The Tawuniya insurance included in the Hajj visa, valid for 75 days in Saudi Arabia, provides up to 10,000 riyals for repatriating the remains and up to 100,000 riyals for accidental death. It does not cover care outside the Kingdom.