Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in American Samoa
This guide explains what happens after a death in American Samoa, who to contact, and how to arrange for your loved one to be brought home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country. Facts for British nationals come from FCDO and government sources. Every situation is different, and if you would like us to take over the arrangements, send us the details.
What to Do When Someone Dies in American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States in the South Pacific. US federal law governs body transport and export, this is entirely separate from the usual FCDO-led UK repatriation process. UK families face two distinct legal systems to satisfy: US territorial requirements for export, and UK Coroner requirements for import.
Call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 immediately. This 24-hour line connects you to consular staff. The British High Commission, Wellington, New Zealand, handles formal consular matters for American Samoa on a non-resident basis. The Honorary British Consul, Apia, Samoa, is the nearest on-the-ground contact.
Step 1: Notify the Local Authorities
The attending physician or hospital certifies the death. The American Samoa Department of Public Safety must be notified. For non-natural deaths, the American Samoa Territorial Medical Examiner has jurisdiction and must issue clearance before the body can leave the territory. Do not arrange transport before Medical Examiner clearance is confirmed.
Step 2: US Federal Export Requirements
All international body transfers from American Samoa must comply with US federal requirements, which include:
- Embalming to US federal standard
- Death certificate from American Samoa Vital Statistics
- CDC/federal transit documentation (if routing through mainland US airports)
Your UK repatriation specialist coordinates with a licensed American Samoa funeral director to meet these requirements.
Step 3: Prepare the Documentation
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| American Samoa death certificate | US federal and UK Coroner requirements |
| Medical Examiner clearance | Required for non-natural deaths |
| US federal embalming and air transport certificate | International air transport |
| US transit documentation | Required for Honolulu routing via mainland US |
| UK Coroner import notification | Required before entering the UK |
No cremation facilities are available in American Samoa.
Step 4: Arrange the Flight
No direct UK flights. Main routing options:
- Hawaiian Airlines from Pago Pago International Airport (PPG) to Honolulu (HNL), then onward to UK via US gateways
- Via Auckland (AKL) or Sydney (SYD) for non-US routing to the UK
Step 5: Repatriation to the UK
On arrival in the UK, the body is received by a registered UK funeral director after UK Coroner confirmation.
For further guidance, read what happens when someone dies abroad or contact us directly.
Sources: US Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule; US CDC International Body Transport Regulations; FCDO Consular Services Overview.
First things first
What to do in the first 24 hours
The immediate period after a death abroad is disorienting. Here are the steps in the order they normally need to happen.
Contact local emergency services
Contact the embassy or consulate
Tell the embassy or consulate of your loved one's own country as soon as possible. It can register the death, give you a list of local funeral directors and explain what the local authorities will need.
British nationals, FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Appoint a local funeral director
A local funeral director in American Samoa will take care of the body, arrange embalming, obtain the necessary documents, and coordinate with airlines. The embassy can recommend accredited directors. You can also contact a specialist UK repatriation company, who will coordinate with a local partner on your behalf.
Contact your travel insurer
If your loved one had travel insurance with repatriation cover, contact the insurer immediately. They will often have an emergency assistance line and may appoint their own funeral director. Many policies cover the full cost of repatriation, subject to the limit set out in the policy schedule.
Gather the required documents
Repatriation from American Samoa requires specific paperwork before a body can be transported. Your local funeral director will handle most of this.
What to expect
How long does it take?
Cost guide
What affects the cost?
Nobody publishes a reliable figure for American Samoa alone. Our cost page sets out the ranges repatriation firms publish, each named and dated. What you pay turns on the specifics of the case.
| Where the death happened | Distance to the departure airport, and any island or overland transfer, changes the freight arrangement |
| Whether a post-mortem is ordered | An investigation holds the release and adds mortuary time |
| Documentation required | American Samoa paperwork, translation, and any legalisation step |
| Coffin and preparation | Airline and destination rules dictate what is needed |
| Flight availability | Direct services cost less to arrange than multi-leg cargo routing |
| Insurance | Whether a policy covers repatriation, and up to what limit |
Send us the details and we will give you a figure for your case, with no obligation.
Full repatriation guide for American Samoa
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
View full guideSend us the details
If you need someone to take over the arrangements, tell us what has happened. We arrange repatriation from American Samoa to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
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Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing your loved one home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from American Samoa · Frequently asked questions