Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in the British Virgin Islands and bringing ashes home

Cremation facilities are not available in the BVI. Full body repatriation is required. This page sets out what British Virgin Islands requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for the British Virgin Islands

Cremation in the British Virgin Islands

Can you cremate someone in the British Virgin Islands?

Cremation facilities are not available in the BVI. Full body repatriation is required.

Religious context: Predominantly Protestant Christian. Methodist, Anglican, and Baptist denominations are significant.

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

Who must release the body

Civil Registry and Passport Office (Civil Registration, BVI Government); Royal Virgin Islands Police Force

Documentation language

English

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of the British Virgin Islands: Terrance B. Lettsome Airport (EIS) on Beef Island near Tortola has connections to Antigua (ANU), San Juan (SJU, Puerto Rico), and other Caribbean hubs. No direct UK service. Most practical UK routing via Antigua (direct BA/LIAT to London Gatwick) or via Miami/New York.

Departure airports: EIS (Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, Beef Island, Tortola), VIJ (Virgin Gorda Airport)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from the British Virgin Islands

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Civil Registry and Passport Office (Civil Registration, BVI Government); Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in English
Routing home. Terrance B. Lettsome Airport (EIS) on Beef Island near Tortola has connections to Antigua (ANU), San Juan (SJU, Puerto Rico), and other Caribbean hubs. No direct UK service. Most practical UK routing via Antigua (direct BA/LIAT to London Gatwick) or via Miami/New York.
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 British Virgin Islands guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for the British Virgin Islands

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in the British Virgin Islands

The step-by-step first response guide covers the first 24 hours in the British Virgin Islands.

Official lists for the British Virgin Islands

Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.

Lawyers, where an estate or an investigation needs local legal advice

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from the British Virgin Islands

Talk to us about cremation in the British Virgin Islands

We deal with Civil Registry and Passport Office (Civil Registration, BVI Government); Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.