Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Macau and bringing ashes home

Cremation is available in Macau. The Macau SAR government operates cremation facilities. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn. This page sets out what Macau requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Macau

Cremation in Macau

Can you cremate someone in Macau?

Cremation is available in Macau. The Macau SAR government operates cremation facilities. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn.

Religious context: Predominantly Buddhist and Taoist. Catholic minority (Portuguese colonial legacy). Traditional Chinese religious practices are common.

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

Who must release the body

Conservatória do Registo Civil (Civil Registry Conservatory); Polícia Judiciária (Judicial Police, non-natural deaths)

Documentation language

Cantonese Chinese, Portuguese

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Macau: Macau International Airport (MFM) has regional connections to mainland China and Southeast Asia. More practically, the Hong Kong to Macau Ferry (1 hour) or Zhuhai border crossing puts the repatriation into the Hong Kong/Guangdong routing network. Many repatriations route via Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).

Departure airports: MFM (Macau International Airport)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Macau

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Conservatória do Registo Civil (Civil Registry Conservatory); Polícia Judiciária (Judicial Police, non-natural deaths) has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Cantonese Chinese, Portuguese
Routing home. Macau International Airport (MFM) has regional connections to mainland China and Southeast Asia. More practically, the Hong Kong to Macau Ferry (1 hour) or Zhuhai border crossing puts the repatriation into the Hong Kong/Guangdong routing network. Many repatriations route via Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
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 Macau guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Macau

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Macau

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

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

Talk to us about cremation in Macau

We deal with Conservatória do Registo Civil (Civil Registry Conservatory); Polícia Judiciária (Judicial Police, non-natural deaths) and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.