Ashes transport guide
Bringing ashes home from Samoa
You have ashes in Samoa and need to bring them home. This page covers what Samoa requires before they can leave.
Quick reference
3-10 days to arrange
What does Samoa require before ashes can leave?
Departure airports: APW (Faleolo International Airport, Apia)
Carriers serving the UK: Samoa Airways (regional); Air New Zealand (via Auckland); Qantas (via Sydney)
Authority that must release the case: Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTM), Apia (main hospital; limited forensic capacity)
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?
What does Samoa require to export ashes?
Cremation availability
Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in 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 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 We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.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 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.
What else is worth knowing about Samoa?
Samoa (Independent State of Samoa) must not be confused with American Samoa, which is a US territory with entirely different consular, documentation, and repatriation processes; British nationals who die in American Samoa are under US jurisdiction; English and Samoan are both official languages; official documentation is typically in English, simplifying the translation burden; No resident British diplomatic post; the New Zealand High Commission Apia provides consular assistance under the UK-New Zealand Consular Sharing Agreement; the FCDO in London must also be notified; Samoan cultural tradition places great importance on the return of the deceased to family; local authorities are generally cooperative with repatriation requests; Sunday observance is strict; official processes including documentation effectively cease on Sundays, which should be factored into timeline calculations
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Full repatriation guide
Complete guide: repatriation from Samoa
Official support
British Embassy in Samoa: contacts and what consular staff can do
Need guidance?
We can help with ashes transport
We deal with Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTM), Apia (main hospital; limited forensic capacity) and the local crematorium directly.
Send an enquiryFurther guidance
Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Samoa
More on ashes and cremation abroad
Bringing ashes home from 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.