Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Kiribati and bringing ashes home

No cremation facilities in Kiribati. Full body repatriation via Fiji is required. This page sets out what Kiribati requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Kiribati

Cremation in Kiribati

Can you cremate someone in Kiribati?

No cremation facilities in Kiribati. Full body repatriation via Fiji is required.

Religious context: Predominantly Christian. Roman Catholic and Kiribati Protestant Church are the main denominations.

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

Who must release the body

Kiribati Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages; Kiribati Police Service

Documentation language

English (official), Gilbertese (Kiribati)

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Kiribati: Fiji Airways serves South Tarawa (TRW) via Suva/Nadi. Air Kiribati operates inter-island domestic routes. Line Islands (Christmas Island/Kiritimati) are over 3,500 km from South Tarawa. All international routing via Fiji.

Departure airports: TRW (Bonriki International Airport, South Tarawa)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Kiribati

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Kiribati Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages; Kiribati Police Service has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in English (official), Gilbertese (Kiribati)
Routing home. Fiji Airways serves South Tarawa (TRW) via Suva/Nadi. Air Kiribati operates inter-island domestic routes. Line Islands (Christmas Island/Kiritimati) are over 3,500 km from South Tarawa. All international routing via Fiji.
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 Kiribati guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Kiribati

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Kiribati

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

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

Talk to us about cremation in Kiribati

We deal with Kiribati Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages; Kiribati Police Service and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.