Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Tuvalu
You have ashes in Tuvalu and need to bring them home. This page covers what Tuvalu requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does Tuvalu require before ashes can leave?
No cremation facilities in Tuvalu. Full body repatriation via Fiji is required.
Routing from Tuvalu: Fiji Airways serves Funafuti (FUN) via Suva/Nadi. No direct Pacific to UK service. All routing goes via Fiji, then connecting to UK via Sydney, Singapore, or Hong Kong.
Departure airports: FUN (Funafuti International Airport)
Documentation language: Tuvaluan, English
Authority that must release the case: Tuvalu Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry, Tuvalu 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 Tuvalu require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Tuvalu 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 Tuvalu, 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 Tuvalu 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 Tuvalu
Official support
British Embassy in Tuvalu: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Tuvalu Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry, Tuvalu Police Service and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Tuvalu
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from Tuvalu
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.