Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
You have ashes in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha and need to bring them home. This page covers what Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha require before ashes can leave?
No cremation facility on Saint Helena, Ascension, or Tristan da Cunha.
Routing from Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha: SA Airlink flights HLE to Johannesburg (JNB) approx twice weekly. Onward to UK via JNB. Ascension Island: RAF Wideawake Airfield (military access only. Tristan da Cunha: no airport) ship only (6-day voyage to Cape Town).
Departure airports: Saint Helena Airport (HLE)
Documentation language: English
Authority that must release the case: Saint Helena Coroner; Saint Helena Police Service
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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Official support
British Embassy in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Saint Helena Coroner; Saint Helena Police Service and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
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.