Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from the Pitcairn Islands
You have ashes in the Pitcairn Islands and need to bring them home. This page covers what Pitcairn Islands requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does Pitcairn Islands require before ashes can leave?
No cremation facility. Burial on Pitcairn or repatriation are the only options.
Routing from the Pitcairn Islands: No airport exists on Pitcairn Island. Repatriation requires sea passage on the supply vessel from Pitcairn to Mangareva (French Polynesia), then Air Tahiti Mangareva to Papeete (PPT), then Air France PPT to CDG (~22h), then UK. Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands are uninhabited. Population approximately 45 residents. Vessel schedule is approximately quarterly; bespoke charter arrangements may be necessary.
Departure airports: None: no airport on Pitcairn. Supply vessel MV Claymore II from Mangareva (French Polynesia) every 3 months approximately. Mangareva reachable via Air Tahiti from Papeete (PPT).
Documentation language: English
Authority that must release the case: Island Magistrate's Court; Governor of Pitcairn Islands
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 Pitcairn Islands require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in the Pitcairn Islands 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 the Pitcairn Islands, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 Pitcairn Islands 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 Pitcairn Islands
Official support
British Embassy in the Pitcairn Islands: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Island Magistrate's Court; Governor of Pitcairn Islands and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from the Pitcairn Islands
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from the Pitcairn Islands
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.