Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Sint Maarten
You have ashes in Sint Maarten and need to bring them home. This page covers what Sint Maarten requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does Sint Maarten require before ashes can leave?
Cremation is available in Sint Maarten. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn.
Routing from Sint Maarten: Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is one of the Caribbean's main hubs, with direct KLM service to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). Also direct connections to Miami, New York, and other North American cities. Sint Maarten and Saint Martin share the same island: the French side (Saint Martin / Grand Case Airport SFG) is a separate jurisdiction. UK routing via Amsterdam is the primary route.
Departure airports: SXM (Princess Juliana International Airport, Philipsburg); one of the Caribbean's busiest airports
Documentation language: Dutch, English
Authority that must release the case: Civil Registry of Sint Maarten; Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM, Korps Politie Sint Maarten)
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 Sint Maarten require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Sint Maarten 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 Sint Maarten, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 Sint Maarten 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 Sint Maarten
Official support
British Embassy in Sint Maarten: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Civil Registry of Sint Maarten; Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM, Korps Politie Sint Maarten) and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Sint Maarten
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Sint Maarten
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.