Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Papua New Guinea
This guide explains what happens after a death in Papua New Guinea, 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.
Typical timeline
28-45 days
FCDO 24hr helpline
+44 (0)20 7008 5000
When Someone Dies in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is one of the most logistically demanding repatriations a UK family can face. PNG’s geography is extreme: road connectivity between provinces is almost non-existent, the Highlands are accessible only by small aircraft, and the country’s forensic and administrative infrastructure is under-resourced relative to its size.
The positive news: there is a resident British High Commission in Port Moresby. This is a material advantage over Vanuatu, Samoa, or Tonga. The British High Commission Port Moresby will appoint a consular officer to the case from day one.
Engage a specialist UK repatriation company immediately alongside notifying the High Commission. Do not attempt to coordinate this from the UK without specialist support.
Step 1: Immediate Notifications
- British High Commission Port Moresby: first official contact.
- FCDO Emergency Travel Line in London: 020 7008 5000 (available 24 hours).
- Appoint a specialist UK repatriation company immediately.
The High Commission provides consular assistance but does not arrange repatriation. A specialist service is required for mortuary, documentation, and logistics coordination.
Step 2: Location and Evacuation to Port Moresby
The location of death determines the first phase of the repatriation.
Port Moresby (National Capital District): Documentation can begin at Port Moresby General Hospital without evacuation. Note that Port Moresby has high urban crime rates, deaths in criminal incidents involve the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary from the outset.
Lae (Morobe Province): PNG’s second city and main industrial port. Deaths here involve Angau Memorial Hospital. Charter flight to Port Moresby takes around 1 hour.
Highlands provinces (Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Enga, Hela, Southern Highlands): These provinces have very limited road connections to coastal PNG. Transfer to Port Moresby requires charter aircraft from provincial airstrips. This phase takes 3 to 7 days depending on weather and charter availability. Highlands weather (intense rainfall, cloud cover) can ground flights for days.
Kokoda Track: The 96-km track through the Owen Stanley Range is a major destination for British trekkers. Deaths on the Track require helicopter evacuation. The nearest significant medical facility is Port Moresby General, roughly 50 km from the southern (Kokoda village) end of the Track. Helicopter evacuation takes 1 to 3 hours depending on location on the Track.
Island provinces (New Britain, New Ireland, Bougainville, Milne Bay outer islands): Charter aircraft to Port Moresby from Kokopo (East New Britain) takes around 1 hour 30 minutes. Remote island provinces take longer.
Step 3: Port Moresby General Hospital
Post-mortem examinations take place at Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH). Forensic pathology capacity is limited. For complex deaths, waiting time for a pathologist is a significant variable. The British High Commission can assist in prioritising examination through diplomatic channels.
Step 4: Sorcery Accusations and Tribal Complexity
PNG has over 800 languages and deep customary law traditions. In some rural and Highlands communities, unexpected deaths are attributed to sorcery. This attribution can trigger community processes (accusations, rituals, sometimes violence against the accused) that delay or obstruct formal investigation by police.
If any indication of sorcery accusation or tribal conflict involvement emerges, contact the British High Commission immediately. This is not an administrative matter; it requires diplomatic engagement at the community and provincial government level.
Step 5: Security Risks
The FCDO rates the crime threat in Port Moresby and Lae as HIGH. Carjacking, home invasion, and armed robbery are documented risks. Deaths in criminal incidents require additional police investigation time. The British High Commission is the essential intermediary with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.
Step 6: Documentation
English is the official government language alongside Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu. Official documentation is available in English. The documentation chain:
- Death certificate from the Civil Registration Authority.
- Police investigation closure.
- Post-mortem report from Port Moresby General Hospital.
- Ministry of Health export permit.
- Embalming to IATA standards with certificate.
Step 7: Cargo Routing
All cargo connections operate via Brisbane (Qantas) from Jacksons International Airport (POM) in Port Moresby. Port Moresby to Brisbane takes around 3 hours; total transit to London Heathrow via Brisbane is typically 26 to 34 hours. There are no direct UK connections.
Cremation
Cremation is available in Papua New Guinea, with facilities in Port Moresby. Embalmed body repatriation is the more common route, and your funeral director can advise on what is practical outside the capital.
Further Information
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 Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea 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?
Factors that can extend the timeline
- PNG is one of the most geographically diverse and infrastructure-poor countries; many areas accessible only by small aircraft or boat
- No Strasbourg Convention; full bilateral processing required
- High crime environment in Port Moresby and urban areas; deaths in security incidents involve police with limited forensic resources
- Limited forensic infrastructure; Port Moresby General Hospital is the main facility
- No direct UK cargo flights; all routing via Brisbane or Sydney to London
- Remote Highlands and island province deaths require charter aircraft evacuation before documentation begins
Cost guide
What affects the cost?
Nobody publishes a reliable figure for Papua New Guinea 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 | Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
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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 Papua New Guinea · Frequently asked questions