Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in and bringing ashes home

Cremation facilities are available in Georgetown. The Hindu community uses cremation. Ashes can be repatriated to the UK. Export of ashes requires cremation certificate and Ministry of Public Health clearance. This page sets out what requires, and what to check before you decide.

Cremation in

What applies in

Cremation facilities are available in Georgetown. The Hindu community uses cremation. Ashes can be repatriated to the UK. Export of ashes requires cremation certificate and Ministry of Public Health clearance.

Religious context: Guyana has significant Christian (Protestant and Catholic), Hindu, and Muslim populations, reflecting its Indo-Guyanese, Afro-Guyanese, and Amerindian communities. Christian and Hindu communities generally accept repatriation; Muslim families may prefer swift local burial. Cremation is accepted within the Hindu community.

Who must release the body

General Register Office for death registration; Magistrate's Court for coroner inquests; police for non-natural deaths; Ministry of Public Health for export documentation

Documentation language

English

Airline guidance

Carrying ashes on the flight home

Routing out of : Guyana has no direct UK flights. Repatriation routes via Miami (American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines), New York JFK (Caribbean Airlines), or Barbados/Trinidad as Caribbean hub connections. Caribbean Airlines flies Georgetown-London Gatwick with connection. Total cargo journey 3 to 6 days from Georgetown to the UK.

Departure airports: Cheddi Jagan International Airport (GEO), Timehri; Eugene F. Correia International Airport (OGL), Ogle (domestic and regional)

What affects the cost from

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

  • Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
  • Whether General Register Office for death registration; Magistrate's Court for coroner inquests; police for non-natural deaths; Ministry of Public Health for export documentation has to release the case first
  • Translation, since documentation is in English
  • Routing home. Guyana has no direct UK flights. Repatriation routes via Miami (American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines), New York JFK (Caribbean Airlines), or Barbados/Trinidad as Caribbean hub connections. Caribbean Airlines flies Georgetown-London Gatwick with connection. Total cargo journey 3 to 6 days from Georgetown to the UK.
  • Whether you carry the ashes yourself or need them shipped

Contact us with the details and we will give you a figure for your case. Source: FCDO guidance and funeral industry data

Considering full repatriation instead?

Some families decide they want their loved one brought home intact. The full guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for

Talk to us about cremation in

We deal with General Register Office for death registration; Magistrate's Court for coroner inquests; police for non-natural deaths; Ministry of Public Health for export documentation and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.

No obligation. Your details are kept strictly confidential.

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