Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Aruba and bringing ashes home

Cremation is available in Aruba. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn. This page sets out what Aruba requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Aruba

Cremation in Aruba

Can you cremate someone in Aruba?

Cremation is available in Aruba. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn.

Religious context: Predominantly Roman Catholic.

Weighing cremation abroad against bringing your loved one home intact? How families decide between the two.

Who must release the body

Departamento di Registro Civil (Civil Registry, Government of Aruba); Korps Politie Aruba (Aruban Police)

Documentation language

Papiamento, Dutch, English, Spanish

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Aruba: Queen Beatrix Airport (AUA) has direct flights to Amsterdam Schiphol (KLM). Also connecting via Miami or other US hubs. All UK repatriation typically routes via Amsterdam (AMS).

Departure airports: AUA (Queen Beatrix International Airport, Oranjestad)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Aruba

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case. For Aruba the things that move it are:

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Departamento di Registro Civil (Civil Registry, Government of Aruba); Korps Politie Aruba (Aruban Police) has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Papiamento, Dutch, English, Spanish
Routing home. Queen Beatrix Airport (AUA) has direct flights to Amsterdam Schiphol (KLM). Also connecting via Miami or other US hubs. All UK repatriation typically routes via Amsterdam (AMS).
Whether you carry the ashes yourself or need them shipped

Considering full repatriation instead?

Some families decide they want their loved one brought home intact. The full Aruba guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Aruba

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Aruba

The step-by-step first response guide covers the first 24 hours in Aruba.

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Aruba

Talk to us about cremation in Aruba

We deal with Departamento di Registro Civil (Civil Registry, Government of Aruba); Korps Politie Aruba (Aruban Police) and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.