Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Montserrat
You have ashes in Montserrat and need to bring them home. This page covers what Montserrat requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does Montserrat require before ashes can leave?
Cremation facilities are not available in Montserrat. Full body repatriation is required.
Routing from Montserrat: John A. Osborne Airport (MNI) has limited capacity, ATR turboprop service only to Antigua (ANU) via regional airlines. No jet service to Montserrat. All UK routing goes via Antigua (direct BA to London Gatwick). The southern half of the island (Exclusion Zone) remains off-limits due to the Soufrière Hills volcano.
Departure airports: MNI (John A. Osborne Airport, Brades); connections via Antigua (ANU)
Documentation language: English
Authority that must release the case: Registrar General's Office (Civil Registration, Government of Montserrat); Royal Montserrat Police Force
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 Montserrat require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Montserrat 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 Montserrat, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 Montserrat 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 Montserrat
Official support
British Embassy in Montserrat: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Registrar General's Office (Civil Registration, Government of Montserrat); Royal Montserrat Police Force and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Montserrat
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Montserrat
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.