Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from the Comoros
You have ashes in the Comoros and need to bring them home. This page covers what Comoros requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does Comoros require before ashes can leave?
Cremation not available. Contrary to Islamic law.
Routing from the Comoros: Air Austral via Réunion (REU); Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa (ADD); Kenya Airways via Nairobi (NBO). All routes require 2+ connections to London.
Departure airports: Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport (HAH), Grande Comore
Documentation language: Comorian (Shikomori); Arabic; French
Authority that must release the case: Gendarmerie Nationale, Ministry of Health, civil status office
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 Comoros require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in the Comoros 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 the Comoros, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 Comoros 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 the Comoros
Official support
British Embassy in the Comoros: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Gendarmerie Nationale, Ministry of Health, civil status office and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from the Comoros
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from the Comoros
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.