Cremation and ashes transport
Cremation in Ireland and bringing ashes home
For some families, arranging cremation locally and carrying ashes home is the right choice, and it can be quicker than full repatriation. This page sets out what Ireland requires, and what to check before you decide.
Cremation in Ireland
Can you cremate someone in Ireland?
Ireland has cremation facilities in Dublin, Cork, and other major cities. Cremation rates in Ireland are lower than the UK but increasing. Ashes can be brought to the UK by hand without special permits. No export restriction applies to ashes transported between Ireland and the UK.
Weighing cremation abroad against bringing your loved one home intact? How families decide between the two.
What affects the cost from Ireland
We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case. For Ireland the things that move it are:
- Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
- Whether an investigation must conclude before release
- 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 Ireland guide sets out that process.
Full repatriation guide for IrelandOfficial lists for Ireland
Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.
- Lawyers, where an estate or an investigation needs local legal advice
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Ireland
Talk to us about cremation in Ireland
We can advise on whether cremation abroad is the right choice for your family. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.
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