Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in American Samoa and bringing ashes home

No cremation facility in American Samoa. This page sets out what American Samoa requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for American Samoa

Cremation in American Samoa

Can you cremate someone in American Samoa?

No cremation facility in American Samoa.

Religious context: Predominantly Christian (Congregationalist, Catholic, Methodist). Fa'asamoa (Samoan traditional customs) may influence family preferences.

Weighing cremation abroad against bringing your loved one home intact? How families decide between the two.

Who must release the body

American Samoa Department of Public Safety; Territory Medical Examiner; US federal and American Samoa territorial law applies

Documentation language

English; Samoan

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of 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)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from American Samoa

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case. For American Samoa the things that move it are:

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether American Samoa Department of Public Safety; Territory Medical Examiner; US federal and American Samoa territorial law applies has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in English; Samoan
Routing home. 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.
Whether you carry the ashes yourself or need them shipped

Considering full repatriation instead?

Some families decide they want their loved one brought home intact. The full American Samoa guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for American Samoa

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in American Samoa

The step-by-step first response guide covers the first 24 hours in American Samoa.

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from American Samoa

Talk to us about cremation in American Samoa

We deal with American Samoa Department of Public Safety; Territory Medical Examiner; US federal and American Samoa territorial law applies and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.