Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in the Faroe Islands and bringing ashes home

No cremation facility in the Faroe Islands. Bodies are repatriated to Denmark or the UK for cremation. This page sets out what Faroe Islands requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for the Faroe Islands

Cremation in the Faroe Islands

Can you cremate someone in the Faroe Islands?

No cremation facility in the Faroe Islands. Bodies are repatriated to Denmark or the UK for cremation.

Religious context: Predominantly Evangelical Lutheran (Church of the Faroe Islands). Small Plymouth Brethren community.

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

Who must release the body

Faroese Police (Politiet i Faeroyerne); civil registration through Faroese system; Danish law applies with significant Faroese autonomy

Documentation language

Faroese; Danish

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of the Faroe Islands: Atlantic Airways direct FAE to LGW (London Gatwick) approx 2.5h. Also Atlantic Airways FAE to CPH then Copenhagen to UK. Infrequent schedule, Atlantic Airways operates limited rotations.

Departure airports: Vagar Airport (FAE)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from the Faroe Islands

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Faroese Police (Politiet i Faeroyerne); civil registration through Faroese system; Danish law applies with significant Faroese autonomy has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Faroese; Danish
Routing home. Atlantic Airways direct FAE to LGW (London Gatwick) approx 2.5h. Also Atlantic Airways FAE to CPH then Copenhagen to UK. Infrequent schedule, Atlantic Airways operates limited rotations.
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 Faroe Islands guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for the Faroe Islands

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in the Faroe Islands

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

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

Talk to us about cremation in the Faroe Islands

We deal with Faroese Police (Politiet i Faeroyerne); civil registration through Faroese system; Danish law applies with significant Faroese autonomy and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.