Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in the Northern Mariana Islands and bringing ashes home

Cremation available on Saipan. This page sets out what Northern Mariana Islands requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for the Northern Mariana Islands

Cremation in the Northern Mariana Islands

Can you cremate someone in the Northern Mariana Islands?

Cremation available on Saipan.

Religious context: Predominantly Catholic (Chamorro and Carolinian traditional faith). Also non-denominational Protestant communities.

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

Who must release the body

CNMI Medical Examiner; CNMI Vital Statistics; US federal and CNMI commonwealth law applies

Documentation language

English; Chamorro; Carolinian

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of the Northern Mariana Islands: No direct UK flights. Routing via Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Guam (GUM) then onward to UK. Limited international service, Japan Airlines and United are main carriers. US federal embalming and documentation requirements apply.

Departure airports: Saipan International Airport (SPN); Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from the Northern Mariana Islands

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether CNMI Medical Examiner; CNMI Vital Statistics; US federal and CNMI commonwealth law applies has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in English; Chamorro; Carolinian
Routing home. No direct UK flights. Routing via Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Guam (GUM) then onward to UK. Limited international service, Japan Airlines and United are main carriers. US federal embalming and documentation requirements apply.
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 Northern Mariana Islands guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for the Northern Mariana Islands

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in the Northern Mariana Islands

The step-by-step first response guide covers the first 24 hours in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from the Northern Mariana Islands

Talk to us about cremation in the Northern Mariana Islands

We deal with CNMI Medical Examiner; CNMI Vital Statistics; US federal and CNMI commonwealth law applies and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.