Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from The Gambia
You have ashes in The Gambia and need to bring them home. This page covers what The Gambia requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
3-10 days to arrange
What does The Gambia require before ashes can leave?
Departure airports: Banjul International Airport / Yundum (BJL)
Documentation language: English
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?
What does The Gambia require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in The Gambia 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 Gambia, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 The Gambia 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.
What else is worth knowing about The Gambia?
The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa and one of the most popular West African package holiday destinations for UK travellers, particularly winter sun packages from November to April; most British deaths occur in coastal hotels in the Senegambia strip between Kololi and Bakau; English is the official language and The Gambia is a Commonwealth member with a resident British High Commission in Banjul; documentation is in English throughout, which is a significant advantage relative to Francophone West African neighbours; Banjul International Airport (BJL), also known as Yundum International, receives direct UK charter flights from major airports including Manchester, Birmingham, Gatwick, and Bristol during the peak tourist season; The Gambia is a Muslim-majority country; cremation is not widely available and is not compatible with Islamic burial practice; UK families should not assume cremation will be possible; Upcountry deaths, including those along the North and South Banks of the River Gambia, can involve slow road transfer to Banjul; the Gambia River ferry crossing adds time in some regions
low
Recurring causes of British deaths here: Limited forensic pathology capacity at EFSTH, complex cases may require additional time; Upcountry deaths (URR, Central River Region) involve slow road transfer to Banjul; Charter flight capacity is seasonal, peak UK charter season November to April
Full repatriation guide
Complete guide: repatriation from The Gambia
Official support
British Embassy in The Gambia: 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 Gambia
Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.
- Funeral directors, for arranging local care and preparation
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from The Gambia
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from The Gambia
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.