Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Sint Maarten and bringing ashes home

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

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Sint Maarten

Cremation in Sint Maarten

Can you cremate someone in Sint Maarten?

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

Religious context: Mix of Protestant and Catholic Christians, reflecting the island's Dutch and French heritage. Significant Haitian and other Caribbean immigrant communities.

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

Who must release the body

Civil Registry of Sint Maarten; Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM, Korps Politie Sint Maarten)

Documentation language

Dutch, English

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Sint Maarten: Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is one of the Caribbean's main hubs, with direct KLM service to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). Also direct connections to Miami, New York, and other North American cities. Sint Maarten and Saint Martin share the same island: the French side (Saint Martin / Grand Case Airport SFG) is a separate jurisdiction. UK routing via Amsterdam is the primary route.

Departure airports: SXM (Princess Juliana International Airport, Philipsburg); one of the Caribbean's busiest airports

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Sint Maarten

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Civil Registry of Sint Maarten; Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM, Korps Politie Sint Maarten) has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Dutch, English
Routing home. Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is one of the Caribbean's main hubs, with direct KLM service to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). Also direct connections to Miami, New York, and other North American cities. Sint Maarten and Saint Martin share the same island: the French side (Saint Martin / Grand Case Airport SFG) is a separate jurisdiction. UK routing via Amsterdam is the primary route.
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 Sint Maarten guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Sint Maarten

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Sint Maarten

The step-by-step first response guide covers the first 24 hours in Sint Maarten.

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Sint Maarten

Talk to us about cremation in Sint Maarten

We deal with Civil Registry of Sint Maarten; Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM, Korps Politie Sint Maarten) and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.