Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in the Cook Islands and bringing ashes home

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

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for the Cook Islands

Cremation in the Cook Islands

Can you cremate someone in the Cook Islands?

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

Religious context: Predominantly Christian. Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC, Congregationalist) is the majority denomination.

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

Who must release the body

Cook Islands Civil Registration (Ministry of Internal Affairs); Cook Islands Police Service

Documentation language

English, Cook Islands Māori (Rarotongan)

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of the Cook Islands: Air New Zealand serves Rarotonga (RAR) from Auckland (AKL). Fiji Airways also serves RAR. All UK repatriation routes via Auckland or Sydney for connecting flights.

Departure airports: RAR (Rarotonga International Airport)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from the Cook Islands

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Cook Islands Civil Registration (Ministry of Internal Affairs); Cook Islands Police Service has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in English, Cook Islands Māori (Rarotongan)
Routing home. Air New Zealand serves Rarotonga (RAR) from Auckland (AKL). Fiji Airways also serves RAR. All UK repatriation routes via Auckland or Sydney for connecting flights.
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 Cook Islands guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for the Cook Islands

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in the Cook Islands

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

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

Talk to us about cremation in the Cook Islands

We deal with Cook Islands Civil Registration (Ministry of Internal Affairs); Cook Islands Police Service and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.