Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Svalbard
You have ashes in Svalbard and need to bring them home. This page covers what Svalbard requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does Svalbard require before ashes can leave?
No cremation facility in Svalbard. Bodies repatriated to mainland Norway or the UK for cremation.
Routing from Svalbard: SAS and Norwegian flights LYR to Oslo (OSL) then Oslo to UK. Also charter scientific/expedition flights. Only Longyearbyen has airport infrastructure; deaths elsewhere on the archipelago require snowmobile, boat, or helicopter transfer to Longyearbyen.
Departure airports: Longyearbyen Airport, Svalbard (LYR)
Documentation language: Norwegian; Russian
Authority that must release the case: Sysselmannen (Governor of Svalbard); Norwegian law applies; deaths investigated by Norwegian Coroner system
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 Svalbard require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Svalbard 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 Svalbard, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 Svalbard 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 Svalbard
Official support
British Embassy in Svalbard: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Sysselmannen (Governor of Svalbard); Norwegian law applies; deaths investigated by Norwegian Coroner system and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Svalbard
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Svalbard
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.