Vanuatu Funerals takes over Defloor, expands embalming and repatriation services

May 25, 2026 11:22 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Nicholas Mwai.

A new chapter in funeral care is beginning in Vanuatu following the acquisition of Defloor Funeral Services (Defloor Industries) by Vanuatu Funerals Ltd, with the company promising more structured and professional support for grieving families and foreign nationals.

Based in Port Vila, Vanuatu Funerals has officially taken over the long-standing Defloor Funeral Services operation, aiming to strengthen funeral care services while improving the management of complex cases such as inter-island and international repatriations.

The company says the transition is designed to preserve existing experience while introducing clearer procedures, stronger professional standards and greater support for families navigating the emotional and logistical challenges that follow a death.

Founder and Director Grégory Znatchkovsky said many families face confusion and stress when dealing with funeral arrangements, particularly when overseas transportation of a deceased relative is involved.

“Our objective is simple: when a family loses a loved one, they should not be left alone facing procedures that can sometimes be unclear to those unfamiliar with them,” Znatchkovsky said.

“Vanuatu Funerals is here to provide practical, respectful and professional support when families need it most.”

The company will provide a range of funeral-related services, including coffin sales, mortuary cold storage rental, body preparation, embalming, local funeral assistance, as well as coordination of inter-island and international repatriations.

Vanuatu Funerals said managing a death often involves more than funeral arrangements alone.

Families may be required to deal with death registration, medical documentation, transport permits, sanitary requirements and coordination with airlines, embassies and government authorities.

The company says these processes can become especially difficult for foreign families, employers, insurance companies and embassies without an experienced local point of contact.

A major focus of the new operation is the international repatriation of human remains — an area requiring strict compliance with sanitary, administrative and airline regulations.

Znatchkovsky said repatriation cases involving expatriates, tourists, foreign workers or residents cannot be handled casually.

“International repatriation cannot be improvised,” he said.

“It requires the right documents, proper body preparation, a suitable coffin and coordination with authorities, airlines and sometimes embassies.

“Our role is to make this process possible, clear and properly managed.”

To strengthen technical capacity, Vanuatu Funerals is working with funeral and embalming specialist Rosebert JV Burdas, who says embalming is an essential but often misunderstood service.

“Many people think embalming is only a technical procedure, but it is much more than that,” Burdas said.

“It is about dignity, respect and care. When a family sees their loved one for the last time, the preparation must be done properly and respectfully.”

Burdas explained that proper embalming and body preparation are especially critical when remains must be transported between islands or overseas, warning that missing documentation or improper preparation can delay repatriation.

“Our goal is to avoid that,” he said.

The company stressed that its role is not to replace local customs and traditional funeral practices, but to provide technical and professional support where needed.

“Local traditions must be respected,” Znatchkovsky said.

“We are here to support families and communities, especially when a body needs to be preserved, transported or repatriated.”

Through its connection with Pacific Health Bridge, a sister company specialising in medical coordination and evacuations, Vanuatu Funerals says it will be better equipped to manage cases involving multiple countries and agencies.

The company also plans to work closely with hospitals, clinics, embassies, employers and insurance companies.

The company says its long-term goal is to become a reliable national point of contact for funeral care services across Vanuatu.

Located in Bladinière near the Presbyterian Church on Airport Road in Port Vila, Vanuatu Funerals says its services will be guided by three principles — dignity, clarity and professionalism.