Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Trinidad and Tobago
This guide explains what happens after a death in Trinidad and Tobago, who to contact, and how to arrange for your loved one to be brought home to the UK. The information comes from FCDO and government sources. Every situation is different, and if you need someone to guide you through it, our team is available any time.
Typical timeline
14 to 20 days
Typical cost
FCDO 24hr helpline
+44 (0)20 7008 5000
When Someone Dies in Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago has a resident British High Commission, direct British Airways flights to London, and English documentation throughout. These factors make it one of the more manageable Caribbean repatriations, though the formal coroner inquest process and the inter-island logistics for Tobago deaths require careful handling.
Step 1: Immediate Notifications
- British High Commission Port of Spain — first official contact.
- FCDO Emergency Travel Line: 020 7008 5000 (available 24 hours).
- Appoint a specialist UK repatriation company.
Step 2: Is the Death on Tobago or Trinidad?
This is the first practical question. Trinidad and Tobago are two separate islands.
Deaths on Trinidad: The body can proceed directly to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) in Mount Hope, near Port of Spain, for post-mortem examination. Port of Spain General Hospital is also used in some cases.
Deaths on Tobago: Tobago Regional Hospital in Scarborough is the island’s main hospital. For any death requiring full forensic post-mortem — all unnatural deaths — the body must be transferred to EWMSC in Trinidad. Caribbean Airlines operates the POS-TAB inter-island service multiple times daily; the flight is 20 minutes. Fast ferry service is also available but less common for body transfers. This inter-island step adds one to two days.
Step 3: Police and Coroner
All unnatural deaths require a police report and are referred to the coroner. The coroner inquest is a formal legal process in Trinidad and Tobago and is mandatory for all non-natural deaths involving foreign nationals.
The inquest establishes cause of death and authorises the body’s release for export. The British High Commission maintains working relationships with the relevant authorities and can assist in managing the process.
Step 4: Post-Mortem
The EWMSC forensic pathology unit in Mount Hope is the national centre. For uncontested natural deaths where the treating physician is satisfied with cause, a post-mortem may not be required. All unnatural deaths — accidents, drownings, cardiac events with no prior diagnosis, unexplained deaths — require full post-mortem.
Step 5: Documentation
- Death certificate from the Registrar General.
- Police report / coroner’s order.
- Post-mortem report.
- Ministry of Health export permit.
- Embalming to IATA standards with certificate.
All documentation is in English.
Step 6: Carnival Period
The Carnival period (typically February, sometimes into early March) sees very high British visitor volumes. Some government offices have shortened hours over the festival days. Build extra time into any Carnival-period repatriation.
Step 7: Cargo Routing
British Airways operates London Gatwick / Heathrow to Piarco International (POS) direct. This is a significant advantage: direct cargo routing to the UK without inter-island transit. Cargo is booked through the specialist repatriation company.
Further Information
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 British Embassy or consulate
FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Appoint a local funeral director
A local funeral director in Trinidad and Tobago 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. They may cover the full cost of repatriation, which can be .
Gather the required documents
Repatriation from Trinidad and Tobago 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?
Factors that can extend the timeline
- Deaths on Tobago require inter-island transfer to Trinidad by Caribbean Airlines shuttle (20 minutes flight) or fast ferry; Tobago Regional Hospital has limited forensic capacity
- Coroner inquest is mandatory for all unnatural deaths in Trinidad and Tobago; this adds time but the process is well-established
- Large UK diaspora connection: some deaths involve complex family dynamics between UK-resident and Trinidad-resident family branches that can complicate authorisation
Cost guide
How much does it cost?
Full repatriation guide for Trinidad and Tobago
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, cost breakdown, cultural considerations, and more.
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WhatsApp us nowReviewed 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 · Repatriation from Trinidad and Tobago · Frequently asked questions