Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Micronesia
This guide explains what happens after a death in Micronesia, 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 Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia is not a single island, it is four states (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae) spread across 2,600 km of Pacific Ocean. The first question your repatriation specialist will ask is: which state and which island?
Step 1: Contact the FCDO Immediately
Call 020 7008 5000 (24 hours). FCDO will contact the British Embassy Manila, which holds non-resident responsibility for FSM. British Embassy Manila: 120 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hill, Taguig City, Metro Manila (+63 2 8858 2200).
Step 2: Establish the Exact Location
Before any other step, establish:
- Which FSM state (Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, or Kosrae)
- Which island within that state
- Whether the body is accessible by scheduled air service or requires boat/light aircraft
The answer determines the entire timeline.
Step 3: Appoint a UK Repatriation Specialist
FSM is one of the most complex Pacific repatriation cases. You need a firm with specific experience in very remote Pacific islands and existing ground contacts in at least two of the four states.
Step 4: State-Level Documentation
Each FSM state has its own vital statistics office. The documentation process differs slightly between states, though all are in English. Your firm’s local contacts will manage this.
Step 5: Routing
All international routing goes via Guam (GUM) on the United Airlines Island Hopper service, then connecting to Manila, Tokyo, or Honolulu for UK flights. Flight frequency is limited: typically three times per week on the Island Hopper.
Realistic Timeline
Expect 21 to 56 days. Cases in Pohnpei or Kosrae near the main airport tend towards the lower end. Cases in Chuuk or outer island locations tend towards the higher end.
For full country detail, see the Micronesia repatriation guide. For general process overview, read what happens when someone dies abroad.
- British Embassy Manila consular services. FSM Department of Health vital statistics guidance.*
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 Micronesia 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 Micronesia 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 Micronesia 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 | Micronesia 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 Micronesia
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
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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 Micronesia · Frequently asked questions