Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Greenland
You have ashes in Greenland and need to bring them home. This page covers what Greenland requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does Greenland require before ashes can leave?
Cremation is not available in Greenland. Bodies are repatriated to Denmark or the UK for cremation.
Routing from Greenland: Routing via Copenhagen (CPH) on Air Greenland or SAS. Kangerlussuaq is the main transit hub; Nuuk connections improving with new airport construction. Very limited frequency, Air Greenland schedule is the controlling factor.
Departure airports: Nuuk Airport (GOH); Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ); Ilulissat Airport (JAV)
Documentation language: Greenlandic (Kalaallisut); Danish
Authority that must release the case: Police of Greenland (Politiet i Gronland); civil registration through Danish system; Danish law applies
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 Greenland require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Greenland 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 Greenland, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 Greenland 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 Greenland
Official support
British Embassy in Greenland: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Police of Greenland (Politiet i Gronland); civil registration through Danish system; Danish law applies and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Greenland
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Greenland
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.