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. The information comes from FCDO and government sources. Every situation is different, and if you need someone to guide you through it, our team is available any time.
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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: FCDO Travel Advice, American Samoa (last reviewed 2025); 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 British Embassy or consulate
FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Appoint a local funeral director
A local funeral director in 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. They may cover the full cost of repatriation, which can be .
Gather the required documents
Repatriation from requires specific paperwork before a body can be transported. Your local funeral director will handle most of this.
What to expect
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WhatsApp us nowReviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Updated June 2026.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from · Frequently asked questions