Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Tokelau
You have ashes in Tokelau and need to bring them home. This page covers what Tokelau requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does Tokelau require before ashes can leave?
No cremation facility. Burial on atoll or repatriation are the only options.
Routing from Tokelau: Tokelau has no airport. The only access is by vessel from Apia, Samoa, taking approximately 2 days. All three atolls (Atafu, Nukunonu, Fakaofo) are accessible only by sea. Repatriation requires vessel transfer to Apia, then flights Apia (APW) to Auckland (AKL) ~3h, then Auckland to LHR Qantas/Air New Zealand ~26h. Vessel frequency is approximately fortnightly. New Zealand law and consular support applies throughout.
Departure airports: No airport on any of the three atolls. Vessel from Apia, Samoa (APW): approximately 2-day sea voyage. Apia served by Samoa Airways/Air New Zealand.
Documentation language: Tokelauan; English
Authority that must release the case: Tokelau National Government (Taupulega); New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; New Zealand Coroner (in practice)
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 Tokelau require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Tokelau 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 Tokelau, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 Tokelau 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 Tokelau
Official support
British Embassy in Tokelau: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Tokelau National Government (Taupulega); New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; New Zealand Coroner (in practice) and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Tokelau
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Tokelau
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.