What to do if someone dies in Christmas Island

Christmas Island is an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2600 kilometres northwest of Perth. Australian law governs all legal and administrative matters, including death registration, Coroner’s jurisdiction, and repatriation. UK families should treat this broadly as a death in Australia.

Call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 immediately. Lines are open 24 hours. UK consular assistance is provided through the British High Commission in Canberra.

Immediate Steps

1. Contact the FCDO: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). They will alert the British High Commission in Canberra and provide immediate consular guidance.
2. Contact the Administrator’s Office: The Australian Government’s chief representative on the island. They coordinate with the Australian Federal Police and initiate death registration.
3. Contact a specialist repatriation firm: Australian legal procedures, combined with the island’s remote location and limited flight frequency, make professional coordination important.
4. Check flight availability: Flights from XCH to Perth operate approximately twice weekly. Early booking of cargo space is advisable.

Death Registration

Australian death registration procedures apply. The Administrator’s Office oversees the process. Non-natural deaths require Western Australia Coroner involvement before the body can be released for repatriation — this is the most significant source of delay.

Christmas Island also has an immigration detention facility. Deaths involving detainees may involve additional layers of Australian federal authority. A specialist firm should be informed of any connection to the facility at the outset.

The Repatriation Route

1. Christmas Island Airport (XCH) to Perth (PER) approximately 3.5 hours via Virgin Australia (approximately twice weekly)
2. Perth (PER) to London Heathrow (LHR) approximately 17 hours via Qantas or partner airlines

Twice-weekly departures mean that timing is critical. A specialist firm should secure cargo space on the next available flight while documentation is being processed.

Community and Cultural Considerations

Christmas Island has three main community groups: Chinese (predominantly Buddhist or non-religious), Malay (predominantly Muslim), and a smaller Australian-background population. Cultural expectations around death differ significantly between these communities.

If the deceased was Muslim, Islamic burial timing requirements may apply — families should communicate promptly with the community and consider whether local burial or repatriation best respects those preferences. A specialist firm experienced in multicultural cases will be essential.

Documents You Will Need

Burial and Cremation

There is no cremation facility on Christmas Island. Remains must be transferred to Perth for cremation. The island has cemeteries used by its various communities. Local burial is an option and may be preferred by some families.

Useful Contacts and Sources

• FCDO Consular Assistance: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
• FCDO Travel Advice (Christmas Island): gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/christmas-island
• British High Commission Canberra: via FCDO
• Australian Department of Infrastructure (Territories): infrastructure.gov.au

For further guidance on the full international repatriation process, see our guide to what happens when someone dies abroad, or contact our team to speak with a specialist.