Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in the Solomon Islands
This guide explains what happens after a death in the Solomon 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 Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a Commonwealth nation with English common law: the documentation process is in English throughout. But with 900+ islands and limited inter-island transport, the location of death matters enormously.
Step 1: Contact the FCDO Immediately
Call 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). FCDO will direct you to the Australian High Commission in Honiara, which provides consular assistance to British nationals in the Solomon Islands. Australian HC Honiara: Mud Alley, Honiara (+677 21561).
Step 2: Establish Which Island
The first question your specialist firm will ask is which island the death occurred on. Deaths on the main island of Guadalcanal (where Honiara is) are most accessible. Deaths on Malaita, Western Province, Choiseul, or remote islands require inter-island transfer (by small aircraft or boat) to Honiara before international repatriation.
Step 3: Appoint a UK Repatriation Specialist
Appoint a UK-regulated specialist before taking any action locally. They will manage the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force process, death registration, embalming, and airline booking.
Step 4: Documentation
The Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages issues the death certificate. Non-natural deaths require Royal Solomon Islands Police Force investigation. All documentation is in English.
Step 5: Routing
Honiara International Airport (HIR) connects via Brisbane (Australia) or Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) for UK flights.
Realistic Timeline
Expect 14 to 42 days. Deaths in Honiara itself tend towards the lower end. Remote island deaths will be significantly longer.
For full country detail, see the Solomon Islands repatriation guide. For a general overview, read what happens when someone dies abroad.
Source: FCDO guidance: When someone dies in Solomon Islands. Australian High Commission Honiara consular services. Solomon Islands Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages procedural guidance.
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 Solomon 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 Solomon 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 Solomon 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 | Solomon 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 Solomon Islands
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 the Solomon Islands · Frequently asked questions