How do you bring a loved one home from Jamaica?

First 24 hours

What should happen in the first 24 hours after a death in Jamaica?

Call 119 for ambulance or 119 for police. A registered medical practitioner must certify the death. Any sudden, violent, or suspicious death is reported to the Coroner. Jamaica has a high violent crime rate and some tourist deaths are crime-related, which automatically triggers a police investigation. Contact your insurer and the British High Commission Kingston immediately.

The most important step is to contact a specialist repatriation company. They will tell you exactly what to do and begin coordinating with local authorities on your behalf.

Timeline

How long does repatriation from Jamaica take?

In most cases, repatriation from Jamaica takes 14-21 days. The fastest straightforward cases complete in 10 days. Complex cases involving a post-mortem, criminal investigation, or a remote location can extend to 35+ days or beyond.

What makes a case complex?

• Jamaican Coroner's inquest for violent or suspicious deaths
• Crime-related death (Jamaica has a high violent crime rate affecting tourists in certain areas)
• Post-mortem at Kingston Public Hospital (capacity limitations)
• Documentation processing delays

Documentation

What documents are required to bring a body home from Jamaica?

All of these documents must be in place before air transport can proceed. Your appointed repatriation coordinator will obtain most of them.

• Jamaican Death Certificate
• Coroner's release (if applicable)
• Police clearance (for violent or suspicious deaths)
• Embalming certificate
• Freedom from infection certificate
• Export permit for human remains
• Passport of deceased

Documentation typically takes 5-10 working days to complete.

Post-mortem

Will a post-mortem be required in Jamaica?

Required for sudden, violent, or suspicious deaths. The Coroner's jurisdiction covers these cases. Post-mortems are performed at Kingston Public Hospital. Capacity can be limited and delays occur..

Adds 7-21 days. Crime-related deaths can take significantly longer if police investigations run in parallel.

British Embassy

What does the British Embassy in Jamaica do when someone dies?

The British Embassy provides consular assistance, which includes giving you a list of local funeral directors, helping you notify relatives, and advising on local procedures. What the Embassy cannot do is pay for repatriation, organise the funeral director, or make arrangements on your behalf.

Alternative option

Can ashes be brought home from Jamaica instead of a full body?

Yes, cremation facilities are available in Jamaica. Transporting ashes to the UK requires specific documents and must comply with airline regulations.

Getting started

How do you start the repatriation process from Jamaica?

Call a specialist repatriation company. Do not wait until all other steps are complete. A specialist can begin the process immediately, even before the local death certificate has been issued.

You will need to provide: the name of the deceased, the location of the body, your contact details, and the name and contact of the local hospital or authority holding the body.

More questions

Other frequently asked questions about repatriation from Jamaica