Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from American Samoa
You have ashes in American Samoa and need to bring them home. This page covers what American Samoa requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
What does American Samoa require before ashes can leave?
No cremation facility in American Samoa.
Routing from American Samoa: No direct UK flights. Routing via Honolulu (HNL) on Hawaiian Airlines then onward to UK from US gateway, or via Auckland (AKL) or Sydney (SYD). US transit documentation required.
Departure airports: Pago Pago International Airport (PPG)
Documentation language: English; Samoan
Authority that must release the case: American Samoa Department of Public Safety; Territory Medical Examiner; US federal and American Samoa territorial law applies
The rules that apply on any route, and what you may do with ashes once home, are covered in bringing ashes into the UK.
What are the airline rules for carrying ashes?
If you are connecting through a third country on this routing, that country's rules apply to the transit as well, and should be checked separately.
What does American Samoa require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in American Samoa due to religious or legal reasons. If you are dealing with ashes from a previous cremation held elsewhere, the export rules may differ. Contact us for guidance specific to your situation.
What affects the cost?
Carrying ashes home yourself is the least expensive way to bring someone back from American Samoa, and for many families it costs little more than the return flight they are already taking. We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.
| What changes the cost | Why |
|---|---|
| Whether the cremation has already taken place | Arranging it locally adds funeral director and crematorium involvement |
| Where the death happened | Distance to the nearest crematorium changes local transfer |
| Carrying versus shipping | Hand luggage costs nothing extra; a specialist courier is a separate arrangement |
| Documentation American Samoa requires | Export permits and translation, where they apply |
Send us the details of your situation and we will give you a figure, with no obligation.
Full repatriation guide
Complete guide: repatriation from American Samoa
Official support
British Embassy in American Samoa: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with American Samoa Department of Public Safety; Territory Medical Examiner; US federal and American Samoa territorial law applies and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from American Samoa
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from American Samoa
Tell us where the ashes are now and where home is. We will explain what is needed and send you a quote. We send ashes home to the UK, Ireland or any other country.