Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from French Polynesia
You have ashes in French Polynesia and need to bring them home. This page covers what French Polynesia requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does French Polynesia require before ashes can leave?
Cremation is available in Papeete, Tahiti. Cremation may not be available on outer islands. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn.
Routing from French Polynesia: Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, Tahiti, has direct Air France and Air Tahiti Nui service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Flight time approximately 22 hours. All UK repatriation routes via Paris CDG. Deaths on outer islands (Bora Bora, Moorea, Marquesas, Tuamotu, Austral archipelagos) require inter-island Air Tahiti transfer to Papeete first.
Departure airports: PPT (Faa'a International Airport, Papeete, Tahiti); outer island airstrips throughout the 5 archipelagos
Documentation language: French, Tahitian
Authority that must release the case: Service de l'État Civil (Civil Registration, Government of French Polynesia); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths depending on commune)
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 French Polynesia require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in French Polynesia 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 French Polynesia, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 French Polynesia 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 French Polynesia
Official support
British Embassy in French Polynesia: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Service de l'État Civil (Civil Registration, Government of French Polynesia); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths depending on commune) and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from French Polynesia
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from French Polynesia
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.