Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in the British Virgin Islands
This guide explains what happens after a death in the British Virgin Islands, 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.
What to Do When Someone Dies in the British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a British Overseas Territory in the northeastern Caribbean. English common law applies and all documentation is in English. There are no direct UK flights: repatriation routes via Antigua. No cremation facilities are available.
Call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 immediately: this 24-hour line connects you to consular staff. The Governor’s Office in Road Town also assists UK nationals.
Step 1: Notify the FCDO and Local Authorities
The attending physician or hospital certifies the death. All deaths are registered with the Civil Registry and Passport Office in Road Town, Tortola. Non-natural deaths require clearance from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) before funeral arrangements proceed.
Step 2: Deaths on Outer Islands
If the death occurred on Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, or a remote cay, the body must be transferred to Tortola by water taxi or light aircraft. Arrange this through a local funeral director or contact the FCDO for assistance.
Step 3: No Cremation Available
No cremation facilities exist in the BVI. Full body repatriation to the UK is the only option.
Step 4: Prepare the Documentation
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Death certificate | UK Coroner and border requirements |
| RVIPF clearance | Required for non-natural deaths |
| Embalming certificate | International air transport requirement |
| Freedom from infection certificate | Customs and quarantine |
| Export permit | BVI Government |
| UK Coroner notification | Required before the body enters the UK |
Step 5: Arrange the Flight
Terrance B. Lettsome Airport (EIS) on Beef Island connects to Antigua (ANU), from which British Airways flies direct to London Gatwick (LGW). Routing via Miami or New York is also possible.
Step 6: Repatriation to the UK
On arrival in the UK, the body is received by a registered UK funeral director after UK Coroner confirmation.
For further guidance, read what happens when someone dies abroad or contact us directly.
Sources: BVI Government, Civil Registry and Passport Office; FCDO Consular Services Overview.
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 the British Virgin Islands 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 the British Virgin Islands 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 the British Virgin Islands 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 | British Virgin Islands 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 the British Virgin Islands
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 the British Virgin Islands to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
Send an enquiryTell us what has happened in the British Virgin Islands
Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing your loved one home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
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 .
Official lists for the British Virgin Islands
Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.
- Lawyers, where an estate or an investigation needs local legal advice
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from the British Virgin Islands · Frequently asked questions