Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in French Polynesia and bringing ashes home

Cremation is available in Papeete, Tahiti. Cremation may not be available on outer islands. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn. This page sets out what French Polynesia requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for French Polynesia

Cremation in French Polynesia

Can you cremate someone in French Polynesia?

Cremation is available in Papeete, Tahiti. Cremation may not be available on outer islands. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn.

Religious context: Predominantly Protestant (Mā'ohi Protestant Church) and Catholic. Traditional Polynesian religious practices persist.

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

Who must release the body

Service de l'État Civil (Civil Registration, Government of French Polynesia); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths depending on commune)

Documentation language

French, Tahitian

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of French Polynesia: Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, Tahiti, has direct Air France and Air Tahiti Nui service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Flight time approximately 22 hours. All UK repatriation routes via Paris CDG. Deaths on outer islands (Bora Bora, Moorea, Marquesas, Tuamotu, Austral archipelagos) require inter-island Air Tahiti transfer to Papeete first.

Departure airports: PPT (Faa'a International Airport, Papeete, Tahiti); outer island airstrips throughout the 5 archipelagos

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from French Polynesia

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Service de l'État Civil (Civil Registration, Government of French Polynesia); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths depending on commune) has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in French, Tahitian
Routing home. Faa'a International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, Tahiti, has direct Air France and Air Tahiti Nui service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Flight time approximately 22 hours. All UK repatriation routes via Paris CDG. Deaths on outer islands (Bora Bora, Moorea, Marquesas, Tuamotu, Austral archipelagos) require inter-island Air Tahiti transfer to Papeete first.
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 French Polynesia guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for French Polynesia

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in French Polynesia

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

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from French Polynesia

Talk to us about cremation in French Polynesia

We deal with Service de l'État Civil (Civil Registration, Government of French Polynesia); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths depending on commune) and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.