Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Greenland and bringing ashes home

Cremation is not available in Greenland. Bodies are repatriated to Denmark or the UK for cremation. This page sets out what Greenland requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Greenland

Cremation in Greenland

Can you cremate someone in Greenland?

Cremation is not available in Greenland. Bodies are repatriated to Denmark or the UK for cremation.

Religious context: Predominantly Evangelical Lutheran (Church of Greenland). Inuit traditional culture may influence family preferences in smaller communities.

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

Who must release the body

Police of Greenland (Politiet i Gronland); civil registration through Danish system; Danish law applies

Documentation language

Greenlandic (Kalaallisut); Danish

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Greenland: Routing via Copenhagen (CPH) on Air Greenland or SAS. Kangerlussuaq is the main transit hub; Nuuk connections improving with new airport construction. Very limited frequency, Air Greenland schedule is the controlling factor.

Departure airports: Nuuk Airport (GOH); Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ); Ilulissat Airport (JAV)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Greenland

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Police of Greenland (Politiet i Gronland); civil registration through Danish system; Danish law applies has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Greenlandic (Kalaallisut); Danish
Routing home. Routing via Copenhagen (CPH) on Air Greenland or SAS. Kangerlussuaq is the main transit hub; Nuuk connections improving with new airport construction. Very limited frequency, Air Greenland schedule is the controlling factor.
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 Greenland guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Greenland

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Greenland

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

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

Talk to us about cremation in Greenland

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