Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from the Philippines
Certified copy of the death certificate (from the Philippine Statistics Authority); Cremation certificate stating the ashes are in a hermetically sealed urn; Bureau of Quarantine permit; Municipal transfer permit (not needed by Cebu Pacific when you hand-carry the urn); Copy of the passport of the deceased This page covers what Philippines requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance.
Available in Metro Manila and major cities (Cebu, Davao). Limited in provincial areas and on smaller islands.
3-10 days to arrange
What does Philippines require before ashes can leave?
Certified copy of the death certificate (from the Philippine Statistics Authority); Cremation certificate stating the ashes are in a hermetically sealed urn; Bureau of Quarantine permit; Municipal transfer permit (not needed by Cebu Pacific when you hand-carry the urn); Copy of the passport of the deceased
Carrying ashes out: Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance.
Where cremation happens: Available in Metro Manila and major cities (Cebu, Davao). Limited in provincial areas and on smaller islands.
Burial is the predominant practice. Cremation is growing in urban areas but remains a minority choice. Catholic tradition favours burial.
Documentation language: Filipino (Tagalog) and English (both official). English widely spoken.
The rules that apply on any route, and what you may do with ashes once home, are covered in bringing ashes into the UK.
The Bureau of Quarantine permit comes first
Ashes leaving the Philippines need a quarantine permit from the Bureau of Quarantine, part of the Department of Health. The UK government’s bereavement guide says it is issued at the Bureau’s main office in Port Area, Manila, or at the station nearest to where the remains are coming from. The British Embassy in Manila has no part in this process, so the permit is arranged by the family or the funeral home.
The same guide lists the usual papers for repatriating ashes:
- a certified copy of the death certificate
- a copy of the passport of the person who died
- a municipal transfer permit
- the Bureau of Quarantine permit
- a cremation certificate
- a fumigation certificate
It also says the ashes must be in a hermetically sealed urn, protected by a fumigated wooden crate when shipped.
Allow time for the PSA death certificate
Every death must be registered with the local civil registrar within 30 days. A certified copy of the registration then comes from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The UK guidance gives one to two months for deaths registered in Metro Manila, and two to three months elsewhere. Ask the funeral home which copy the Bureau of Quarantine and your airline will accept while you wait.
Carrying the urn yourself
The UK guidance says you can usually take the ashes back to the UK yourself after a local cremation, and that a straightforward cremation and repatriation of ashes usually takes 2 to 3 working days to arrange. Airline policies differ, so check what your carrier wants before you fly.
Cebu Pacific’s published guidance is a useful example of what Philippine carriers ask for. It accepts urns in hand-carry baggage or as cargo, asks for the death certificate, a cremation certificate stating the ashes are in a hermetically sealed urn or similar container, and the Bureau of Quarantine permit. It says the municipal or city health office transfer permit is not needed if you hand-carry the urn. Documents not in English may need a certified translation.
Sources checked 6 October 2026:
- GOV.UK, Philippines: bereavement guide: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/philippines-bereavement-pack/philippines-bereavement-guide
- Cebu Pacific, Guidelines for transporting human remains: https://help.cebupacificair.com/article/guidelines-for-transporting-human-remains-123203
Documents you need
- Certified copy of the death certificate (from the Philippine Statistics Authority)
- Cremation certificate stating the ashes are in a hermetically sealed urn
- Bureau of Quarantine permit
- Municipal transfer permit (not needed by Cebu Pacific when you hand-carry the urn)
- Copy of the passport of the deceased
What are the airline rules for carrying ashes?
Hand luggage guidance
Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance.
What does Philippines require to export ashes?
Cremation is available in the Philippines. Crematoriums will issue a cremation certificate, which is the core document for export. In some countries, additional certificates from health or foreign affairs authorities are required. The funeral director who handled the cremation will guide you on this.
What affects the cost?
Carrying ashes home yourself is the least expensive way to bring someone back from the Philippines, 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 | Crematoria: Available in Metro Manila and major cities (Cebu, Davao). Limited in provincial areas and on smaller islands.. Distance to the nearest one changes local transfer |
| Carrying versus shipping | Hand luggage costs nothing extra; a specialist courier is a separate arrangement |
| Documentation Philippines 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 Philippines
Deciding on cremation?
Cremation in the Philippines: full guide including costs and what to expect
Official support
British Embassy in the Philippines: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
If you are unsure about the paperwork or airline requirements, we can take it from here.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Official lists for the Philippines
Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.
- Translators and interpreters, for certified translation of the death certificate and permits
- Lawyers, where an estate or an investigation needs local legal advice
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from the Philippines
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from the Philippines
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.