Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Cocos (Keeling) Islands
You have ashes in Cocos (Keeling) Islands and need to bring them home. This page covers what Cocos (Keeling) Islands requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does Cocos (Keeling) Islands require before ashes can leave?
No cremation facility on the islands. Remains must be transferred to Perth or Australian mainland for cremation.
Routing from Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Australian external territory administered under Australian law. Death registration and repatriation follow Australian (Western Australia) legal framework. Flights from CCK to Perth (PER) operate approximately twice weekly via Virgin Australia. Perth to UK: Qantas or partner airlines PER to LHR ~17h. UK consular assistance via BHC Canberra.
Departure airports: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Airport (CCK), Cocos Keeling to Perth (PER) via Virgin Australia, approximately 3h
Documentation language: English; Cocos Malay
Authority that must release the case: Administrator of Cocos (Keeling) Islands; Australian Federal Police; Western Australia Coroner (for coronial matters)
The rules that apply on any route, and what you may do with ashes once home, are covered in bringing ashes into the UK.
What are the airline rules for carrying ashes?
If you are connecting through a third country on this routing, that country's rules apply to the transit as well, and should be checked separately.
What does Cocos (Keeling) Islands require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Cocos (Keeling) Islands due to religious or legal reasons. If you are dealing with ashes from a previous cremation held elsewhere, the export rules may differ. Contact us for guidance specific to your situation.
What affects the cost?
Carrying ashes home yourself is the least expensive way to bring someone back from Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and for many families it costs little more than the return flight they are already taking. We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.
| What changes the cost | Why |
|---|---|
| Whether the cremation has already taken place | Arranging it locally adds funeral director and crematorium involvement |
| Where the death happened | Distance to the nearest crematorium changes local transfer |
| Carrying versus shipping | Hand luggage costs nothing extra; a specialist courier is a separate arrangement |
| Documentation Cocos (Keeling) Islands requires | Export permits and translation, where they apply |
Send us the details of your situation and we will give you a figure, with no obligation.
Full repatriation guide
Complete guide: repatriation from Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Official support
British Embassy in Cocos (Keeling) Islands: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Administrator of Cocos (Keeling) Islands; Australian Federal Police; Western Australia Coroner (for coronial matters) and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Cocos (Keeling) Islands
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Tell us where the ashes are now and where home is. We will explain what is needed and send you a quote. We send ashes home to the UK, Ireland or any other country.