Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Puerto Rico and bringing ashes home

Cremation available in Puerto Rico. This page sets out what Puerto Rico requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Puerto Rico

Cremation in Puerto Rico

Can you cremate someone in Puerto Rico?

Cremation available in Puerto Rico.

Religious context: Predominantly Catholic with significant evangelical Protestant community. Full range of faith funeral services available in San Juan.

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

Who must release the body

Puerto Rico Institute of Forensic Sciences (non-natural deaths); Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Registry; US federal and Puerto Rico territorial law applies

Documentation language

Spanish; English

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Puerto Rico: Direct British Airways SJU to LHR approx 8.5h. Also American Airlines SJU to ORD/MIA/JFK then UK connections. US federal embalming and documentation rules apply for international air transport.

Departure airports: Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (SJU)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Puerto Rico

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Puerto Rico Institute of Forensic Sciences (non-natural deaths); Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Registry; US federal and Puerto Rico territorial law applies has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Spanish; English
Routing home. Direct British Airways SJU to LHR approx 8.5h. Also American Airlines SJU to ORD/MIA/JFK then UK connections. US federal embalming and documentation rules apply for international air transport.
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 Puerto Rico guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Puerto Rico

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Puerto Rico

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

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Puerto Rico

Talk to us about cremation in Puerto Rico

We deal with Puerto Rico Institute of Forensic Sciences (non-natural deaths); Puerto Rico Vital Statistics Registry; US federal and Puerto Rico territorial law applies and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.