Repatriation from the Marshall Islands to Ireland

Department of Foreign Affairs emergency line: +353 1 408 2000 (24 hours). The Irish Embassy in Canberra covers Marshall Islands and can register the death and advise on documentation. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.

Most cases take 4-8 weeks from the date of death. Where the death occurs in Majuro and there are no complications, 3-4 weeks is possible. Deaths on outer atolls or involving a post-mortem can take 10-16 weeks or more.

Marshall Islands International Airport in Majuro has services to Honolulu, Hawaii, and Guam. Cargo connections to Ireland route via these hubs. Frequency is limited and cargo space must be booked in advance. Your repatriation specialist handles all cargo arrangements.

The core documents are: the Registrar-General death certificate, post-mortem report where required, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and export permit. English is an official language of the Marshall Islands, which reduces translation requirements.

Cremation facilities in the Marshall Islands are very limited. Specialist advice is essential before making any plans for cremation. Alternative arrangements via Guam or Honolulu may be possible but add significant complexity. Contact us to discuss what is feasible in your circumstances.

An internal transfer to Majuro must happen before any official documentation or export process can begin. Depending on the atoll and available transport, this can take several days. Sea conditions, aircraft availability, and local resources all affect timing. A specialist coordinator needs to know the specific location immediately.

The Irish funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. The Coroner is involved only where the death abroad was unnatural, and may then order a post-mortem. English is an official language of the Marshall Islands, so translation requirements are generally reduced, though supporting documentation may still be requested.