Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Marshall Islands to United Kingdom
For British families. 24/7 support, every step handled.
24/7 emergency helpline
WhatsApp: +44 7703 577246The process
What happens after a death in the Marshall Islands
Call 911 for emergency services. Deaths are registered with the Office of the Registrar-General in Majuro, the capital, which issues the official death certificate. Where a death is violent, suspicious, or unexplained, the Marshall Islands Police Department takes jurisdiction and a post-mortem may be required. If the death occurs on an outer atoll rather than on Majuro, internal transfer by boat or small aircraft must happen before any official process can begin. Air cargo to the UK routes via Majuro Atoll Airport (Marshall Islands International Airport) with connections via Honolulu, Hawaii. The British High Commission in Suva can register the death with UK authorities and provide guidance but cannot fund or arrange repatriation. FCDO travel advice for the Marshall Islands (gov.uk, 2026) recommends contacting the FCDO emergency line immediately.
Key facts
Repatriation from the Marshall Islands to the United Kingdom: what to expect
The Marshall Islands is a remote Pacific nation consisting of 29 atolls and 5 islands spread across a large area of the North Pacific Ocean. There is no resident British diplomatic post; consular cover is provided by the British High Commission in Suva, Fiji. Air connections are extremely limited, with the only practical international link being via Honolulu or Guam. Repatriation to the UK is a specialist undertaking that requires coordination from the very first day. Most cases take 4-8 weeks.
- Key document: Office of the Registrar-General death certificate
- No resident British embassy: covered by the British High Commission in Suva, Fiji
- Air cargo routes to the UK run via Honolulu or Guam, with multiple transfers
- Documentation takes 14-28 days in most cases
- Cremation facilities are very limited. Specialist advice is essential before any local arrangements are made.
Step by step
Timeline: Marshall Islands to United Kingdom
Call 911 and notify the FCDO emergency line immediately
Day of death. FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
Family or travel insurer
If death is on an outer atoll, arrange transfer to Majuro. This step has no fixed timeline.
Hours to several days depending on atoll and available transport.
Local contacts and repatriation specialist
Death registered with the Office of the Registrar-General in Majuro. Death certificate obtained.
Days 1-5 after arrival in Majuro.
Local funeral director and registry
British High Commission Suva notified. Consular case opened.
Simultaneous with Step 1. High Commission advises on local assistance.
Family or repatriation specialist
Post-mortem completed if required. Body released to funeral director.
Variable: add 1-3 weeks if post-mortem required.
Marshall Islands Police Department and medical authorities
Embalming and preparation. All export documentation obtained.
After body is released. Allow 14-28 days for full documentation in total.
Local funeral director and repatriation specialist
Air cargo from Majuro via Honolulu or Guam to the United Kingdom.
Once all documentation is complete. Multiple airline handovers required.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo teams
UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. Coroner notified.
Within 24 hours of arrival in the UK.
Receiving UK funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Marshall Islands to United Kingdom
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.
No. There is no resident British embassy in the Marshall Islands. Consular cover is provided by the British High Commission in Suva, Fiji. The FCDO 24-hour emergency line is +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
Marshall Islands International Airport in Majuro has services to Honolulu, Hawaii, and Guam. Cargo connections to the UK 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 UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. The coroner for the district is notified. English is an official language of the Marshall Islands, so translation requirements are generally reduced, though supporting documentation may still be requested.
In United Kingdom
When the body arrives in United Kingdom
The UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All documentation must be in certified English translation. The coroner for the district is notified. Straightforward cases proceed directly to funeral arrangements.
Consular support
FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000. The British High Commission in Suva, Fiji, covers the Marshall Islands and can register the death and advise on local contacts. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
We are here to help, any time of day or night
If your loved one has passed away in Marshall Islands, please do not face this alone. Our team will guide you through every step of bringing them home.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Updated June 2026.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Marshall Islands repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions