Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha and bringing ashes home

No cremation facility on Saint Helena, Ascension, or Tristan da Cunha. This page sets out what Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Cremation in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Can you cremate someone in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha?

No cremation facility on Saint Helena, Ascension, or Tristan da Cunha.

Religious context: Predominantly Christian (Anglican, Baptist, Catholic). Saint Helena has a small close-knit community.

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

Who must release the body

Saint Helena Coroner; Saint Helena Police Service

Documentation language

English

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha: SA Airlink flights HLE to Johannesburg (JNB) approx twice weekly. Onward to UK via JNB. Ascension Island: RAF Wideawake Airfield (military access only. Tristan da Cunha: no airport) ship only (6-day voyage to Cape Town).

Departure airports: Saint Helena Airport (HLE)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case. For Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha the things that move it are:

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Saint Helena Coroner; Saint Helena Police Service has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in English
Routing home. SA Airlink flights HLE to Johannesburg (JNB) approx twice weekly. Onward to UK via JNB. Ascension Island: RAF Wideawake Airfield (military access only. Tristan da Cunha: no airport) ship only (6-day voyage to Cape Town).
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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

The step-by-step first response guide covers the first 24 hours in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Talk to us about cremation in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

We deal with Saint Helena Coroner; Saint Helena Police Service and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.