Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Bonaire
This guide explains what happens after a death in Bonaire, who to contact, and how to arrange for your loved one to be brought home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country. Facts for British nationals come from FCDO and government sources. Every situation is different, and if you would like us to take over the arrangements, send us the details.
Bonaire is a special municipality of the Netherlands: one of three BES islands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba) that became part of the Netherlands proper when the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved in 2010. Dutch law governs the island entirely. For UK families, this means repatriation follows Dutch legal procedures, not Netherlands Antilles rules that no longer apply.
Call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 (available 24 hours). UK consular assistance is provided by the British Embassy in The Hague, with the Honorary Consul in Willemstad, Curaçao providing closer regional support.
Immediate Steps
- Contact the FCDO: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). They will alert the British Embassy in The Hague and can advise on next steps.
- Contact local authorities: The Dutch Caribbean Police Force (KPCN) and the Civil Registry (Burgerlijke Stand) on Bonaire. For non-natural deaths, the Officier van Justitie (Dutch Public Prosecutor/Coroner equivalent) must be notified immediately.
- Contact a specialist repatriation firm: Dutch Caribbean legal procedures differ from mainland Netherlands procedures. Professional coordination is advisable, particularly for non-natural deaths involving the Officier van Justitie.
- Check travel insurance: Ensure the policy covers Bonaire. As part of the Netherlands, standard European travel policies may not automatically cover Caribbean BES islands.
Death Registration
Dutch death registration applies. The Civil Registry (Burgerlijke Stand) on Bonaire issues a Dutch death certificate. For non-natural deaths, the Officier van Justitie must investigate and authorise release before the body can be transferred. This is the primary source of delay in non-natural cases.
The 2010 Legal Change
Before 2010, Bonaire was part of the Netherlands Antilles, a separate country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Since 2010, it is a special municipality of the Netherlands. Dutch law applies in full. Families should ensure any advice they receive reflects the current legal framework, not the pre-2010 Netherlands Antilles structure.
The Repatriation Route
- Flamingo Airport (BON) to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS): approximately 9 hours, KLM direct, several times weekly
- Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to London Heathrow (LHR): approximately 1 hour 15 minutes via KLM, British Airways or easyJet
Alternative routing via Aruba (AUA, approximately 30 minutes) or Curaçao (CUR, approximately 20 minutes) is available where KLM scheduling is inconvenient.
Documents You Will Need
| Document | Issuing Authority |
|---|---|
| Dutch death certificate | Civil Registry (Burgerlijke Stand), Bonaire |
| Officier van Justitie release | Dutch Public Prosecutor (non-natural deaths) |
| Embalming certificate | Licensed embalmer |
| Dutch export permit (human remains) | Dutch authorities |
| Airworthiness documentation | KLM/cargo operator |
| UK receiving funeral director confirmation | UK funeral director |
Cremation
There is no cremation facility on Bonaire. Cremation requires transfer to Curaçao or repatriation to the Netherlands or UK. If the family prefers cremation, this should be decided early so the appropriate route can be planned.
Useful Contacts and Sources
- FCDO Consular Assistance: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
- FCDO Travel Advice: no separate page is published for Bonaire. See the FCDO travel advice index
- British Embassy The Hague: via FCDO
- Honorary Consul Willemstad, Curaçao: via FCDO
For further guidance on the full international repatriation process, see our guide to what happens when someone dies abroad, or contact our team.
First things first
What to do in the first 24 hours
The immediate period after a death abroad is disorienting. Here are the steps in the order they normally need to happen.
Contact local emergency services
Contact the embassy or consulate
Tell the embassy or consulate of your loved one's own country as soon as possible. It can register the death, give you a list of local funeral directors and explain what the local authorities will need.
British nationals, FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Appoint a local funeral director
A local funeral director in Bonaire will take care of the body, arrange embalming, obtain the necessary documents, and coordinate with airlines. The embassy can recommend accredited directors. You can also contact a specialist UK repatriation company, who will coordinate with a local partner on your behalf.
Contact your travel insurer
If your loved one had travel insurance with repatriation cover, contact the insurer immediately. They will often have an emergency assistance line and may appoint their own funeral director. Many policies cover the full cost of repatriation, subject to the limit set out in the policy schedule.
Gather the required documents
Repatriation from Bonaire requires specific paperwork before a body can be transported. Your local funeral director will handle most of this.
What to expect
How long does it take?
Cost guide
What affects the cost?
Nobody publishes a reliable figure for Bonaire alone. Our cost page sets out the ranges repatriation firms publish, each named and dated. What you pay turns on the specifics of the case.
| Where the death happened | Distance to the departure airport, and any island or overland transfer, changes the freight arrangement |
| Whether a post-mortem is ordered | An investigation holds the release and adds mortuary time |
| Documentation required | Bonaire paperwork, translation, and any legalisation step |
| Coffin and preparation | Airline and destination rules dictate what is needed |
| Flight availability | Direct services cost less to arrange than multi-leg cargo routing |
| Insurance | Whether a policy covers repatriation, and up to what limit |
Send us the details and we will give you a figure for your case, with no obligation.
Full repatriation guide for Bonaire
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
View full guideSend us the details
If you need someone to take over the arrangements, tell us what has happened. We arrange repatriation from Bonaire to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
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Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from Bonaire · Frequently asked questions