Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
This guide explains what happens after a death in Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, 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 Saint Helena, Ascension or Tristan da Cunha
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha is a British Overseas Territory comprising three separate islands in the South Atlantic. Each presents a distinct logistical challenge. English common law applies on all three.
Call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 immediately. This 24-hour line is the starting point regardless of which island the death occurred on.
Saint Helena
Saint Helena Airport (HLE) opened in 2016. SA Airlink operates flights to Johannesburg (JNB) approximately twice weekly. From Johannesburg, onward connections to the UK are available.
The Saint Helena Coroner has jurisdiction. The Saint Helena Police Service reports non-natural deaths to the Coroner. Death certificates are issued by the Saint Helena Registry in Jamestown, in English.
Ascension Island
Ascension Island has no civilian airline access. RAF Wideawake Airfield is a military facility: access requires coordination through the FCDO and relevant military channels. The process is more complex than Saint Helena and will take longer.
Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha has no airport. It is the most remote permanently inhabited island on earth. The only access is by ship: approximately a 6-day voyage to Cape Town, South Africa. Ship schedules are infrequent and weather-dependent. Tristan da Cunha repatriation is among the most logistically demanding cases a UK family can face. Contact a specialist firm immediately and allow weeks, not days.
Prepare the Documentation
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Saint Helena / Ascension / Tristan death certificate | UK Coroner and funeral director |
| Coroner clearance | Required before departure |
| SA Airlink or RAF cargo documentation | Air transport |
| UK Coroner import notification | Required before entering the UK |
No cremation facilities are available on any of the three islands.
For further guidance, read what happens when someone dies abroad or contact us directly.
Sources: HM Government of Saint Helena; Saint Helena Airport Authority; 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 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 | Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha 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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
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 Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha · Frequently asked questions