Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in New Caledonia and bringing ashes home

Cremation is available in Nouméa. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn. This page sets out what New Caledonia requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for New Caledonia

Cremation in New Caledonia

Can you cremate someone in New Caledonia?

Cremation is available in Nouméa. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn.

Religious context: Predominantly Roman Catholic. Significant Protestant minority (mainly Kanak community). Traditional Kanak spiritual practices.

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

Who must release the body

Service de l'État Civil (Civil Registration); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths). New Caledonia has a special status: a sui generis collectivity with its own government (Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie).

Documentation language

French, Kanak languages

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of New Caledonia: La Tontouta International Airport (NOU) near Nouméa has direct Air France and Air Calédonie International (Aircalin) service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Also connections to Sydney (SYD) and Auckland (AKL). UK routing via Paris CDG is primary. Sydney routing provides an alternative via London connections.

Departure airports: NOU/GEA (La Tontouta International Airport, Nouméa); Magenta Airport (GEA) for domestic flights

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from New Caledonia

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Service de l'État Civil (Civil Registration); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths). New Caledonia has a special status: a sui generis collectivity with its own government (Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie). has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in French, Kanak languages
Routing home. La Tontouta International Airport (NOU) near Nouméa has direct Air France and Air Calédonie International (Aircalin) service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Also connections to Sydney (SYD) and Auckland (AKL). UK routing via Paris CDG is primary. Sydney routing provides an alternative via London connections.
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 New Caledonia guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for New Caledonia

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in New Caledonia

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

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from New Caledonia

Talk to us about cremation in New Caledonia

We deal with Service de l'État Civil (Civil Registration); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths). New Caledonia has a special status: a sui generis collectivity with its own government (Gouvernement de la Nouvelle-Calédonie). and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.