What to do if someone dies in The Bahamas

If a British National Dies in the Bahamas

Call the British High Commission Nassau emergency line immediately. The Bahamas is a Commonwealth country and the High Commission is experienced with British national deaths. English is the official language. The administrative process is well-established.

Then contact a specialist repatriation company. Confirm which island the death occurred on before any further step. That single fact determines which hospital, which authorities, and which transfer logistics apply.

Step 1: Confirm the Island

Which island? This is the first question.

New Providence (Nassau): Princess Margaret Hospital. Nassau Police. Registrar General’s Department. All on one island, accessible by road.

Grand Bahama (Freeport): Rand Memorial Hospital. Not PMH. Separate administrative jurisdiction. Do not contact Nassau-based authorities for a Grand Bahama case.

Out Islands (Exumas, Abacos, Eleuthera, Long Island, Cat Island, and others): no forensic or documentation capacity. Transfer required to Nassau or Freeport before anything else can happen.

Step 2: Report the Death

Deaths in the Bahamas are reported to the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). The death certificate is issued by the Registrar General’s Department.

For sudden, unnatural, or unexplained deaths, the RBPF takes jurisdiction and the body passes to the Department of Pathology at Princess Margaret Hospital for post-mortem.

Step 3: Out Island Transfer

For deaths on Family Islands, the process is:

1. RBPF local officer attends and secures the scene.
2. Charter aircraft or boat transfer to Nassau is arranged.
3. Post-mortem at PMH in Nassau.
4. Documentation in Nassau.

Charter flights serve most inhabited islands including the Exumas (GGT), Abacos (MHH, TCB), and Eleuthera (GHB). Smaller cays require boat. The British High Commission can advise on current air charter options.

Step 4: Documentation and Export Permit

Required documents:

• Death certificate from the Registrar General’s Department
• RBPF police investigation report for unnatural deaths
• PMH post-mortem report if required
• Ministry of Health export permit
• Embalming certificate

All documents are in English.

Step 5: Routing to the UK

Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is the only cargo-capable international airport in New Providence. There are no nonstop flights to the UK. American Airlines via Miami is the most reliable connection for London Heathrow. British Airways via New York JFK is an alternative.

Grand Bahama (FPO) has limited international connections. Cargo from Grand Bahama cases typically routes via NAS or via Miami.