Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Svalbard
This guide explains what happens after a death in Svalbard, 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 Svalbard
Svalbard is a Norwegian Arctic archipelago approximately 1,300 km north of mainland Norway. Norwegian law applies. The Governor (Sysselmannen) in Longyearbyen is the sole civil and emergency authority. All documentation is in Norwegian: a certified English translation is required for the UK Coroner.
Call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 immediately. The British Embassy Oslo (+47 23 13 27 00) handles Svalbard on a non-resident basis.
Step 1: Notify the Governor and Local Authorities
All deaths in Svalbard must be reported to the Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmannen). Non-natural deaths are investigated under Norwegian law before the Governor issues clearance. In field deaths (glacier accidents, polar bear attacks, wilderness incidents) the Governor coordinates search and rescue and recovery operations first. Do not attempt to recover a body in remote terrain without Governor coordination.
Register the death with the British Embassy, Oslo.
Step 2: Field Death Transfer to Longyearbyen
Deaths anywhere outside Longyearbyen (at Barentsburg, Ny-Ålesund, Pyramiden, on glaciers, or in the wilderness) require transfer to Longyearbyen before international repatriation can proceed. This may involve helicopter, snowmobile, or boat depending on location and season. The Governor’s office coordinates this.
Step 3: Obtain the Death Certificate and Translation
The death certificate is issued through the Norwegian civil registration system. A certified English translation is required for the UK Coroner.
Step 4: Prepare the Documentation
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Death certificate + certified English translation | UK Coroner and border requirements |
| Governor (Sysselmannen) clearance | Required before departure |
| SAS or charter cargo documentation | Air transport |
| UK Coroner import notification | Required before the body enters the UK |
No cremation is available in Svalbard. The body is repatriated for cremation in Norway or the UK.
Step 5: Arrange the Flight
SAS and Norwegian flights from Longyearbyen Airport (LYR) to Oslo Gardermoen (OSL), then UK connections from Oslo. Arctic storms can close the airport for days: build significant contingency into scheduling.
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: Governor of Svalbard (Sysselmannen); Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection; FCDO Consular Services Overview; British Embassy Oslo.
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 Svalbard 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 Svalbard 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 Svalbard 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 | Svalbard 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 Svalbard
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 Svalbard 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 Svalbard · Frequently asked questions