Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from New Caledonia
You have ashes in New Caledonia and need to bring them home. This page covers what New Caledonia requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does New Caledonia require before ashes can leave?
Cremation is available in Nouméa. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn.
Routing from New Caledonia: La Tontouta International Airport (NOU) near Nouméa has direct Air France and Air Calédonie International (Aircalin) service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Also connections to Sydney (SYD) and Auckland (AKL). UK routing via Paris CDG is primary. Sydney routing provides an alternative via London connections.
Departure airports: NOU/GEA (La Tontouta International Airport, Nouméa); Magenta Airport (GEA) for domestic flights
Documentation language: French, Kanak languages
Authority that must release the case: Service de l'État Civil (Civil Registration); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths). New Caledonia has a special status: a sui generis collectivity with its own government (Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie).
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 New Caledonia require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in New Caledonia 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 New Caledonia, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 New Caledonia 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 New Caledonia
Official support
British Embassy in New Caledonia: 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); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths). New Caledonia has a special status: a sui generis collectivity with its own government (Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie). and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from New Caledonia
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from New Caledonia
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.