Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in and bringing ashes home

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

Cremation in

What applies in

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

Religious context: Predominantly Roman Catholic. Significant Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist communities reflecting historical indentured labour migration.

Who must release the body

Mairie (municipal civil registry: mairie of the commune of death); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths)

Documentation language

French, Réunion Creole

Airline guidance

Carrying ashes on the flight home

Routing out of : Roland Garros Airport (RUN) in Saint-Denis has direct Air France service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Flight time approximately 11 hours. All UK repatriation routes via Paris CDG. No direct UK service.

Departure airports: RUN (Roland Garros Airport, Saint-Denis)

What affects the cost from

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

  • Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
  • Whether Mairie (municipal civil registry: mairie of the commune of death); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths) has to release the case first
  • Translation, since documentation is in French, Réunion Creole
  • Routing home. Roland Garros Airport (RUN) in Saint-Denis has direct Air France service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Flight time approximately 11 hours. All UK repatriation routes via Paris CDG. No direct UK service.
  • Whether you carry the ashes yourself or need them shipped

Contact us with the details and we will give you a figure for your case. Source: FCDO guidance and funeral industry data

Considering full repatriation instead?

Some families decide they want their loved one brought home intact. The full guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for

Talk to us about cremation in

We deal with Mairie (municipal civil registry: mairie of the commune of death); Gendarmerie nationale or Police nationale (non-natural deaths) and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.

No obligation. Your details are kept strictly confidential.

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