Legal framework
Legal and jurisdictional context for repatriation from the Marshall Islands
When someone dies in the Marshall Islands, the death must be registered under Marshall Islands's local law before any repatriation can begin. A death certificate issued in the Marshall Islands is a legal document under that country's jurisdiction. The country you are bringing them home to may need it translated by a qualified translator and, in some cases, authenticated; for the UK, an English translation is required.
Airline and IATA standards require the body to be embalmed to international standards and transported in a zinc-lined coffin. These requirements apply to all international air transport of human remains, whatever the destination.
The process
How repatriation from the Marshall Islands works in practice
The process follows a fixed sequence. Each step must be completed before the next can begin.
Documentation
Documentation requirements for repatriation from the Marshall Islands
The following documents must all be in place before the body can leave Marshall Islands. Your repatriation coordinator will obtain these on your behalf, working with the local funeral director.
Timeline analysis
Realistic timelines for repatriation from the Marshall Islands
Edge cases
Complications and edge cases in repatriation from the Marshall Islands
Criminal investigation or suspicious death
Where the death is subject to a criminal investigation in the Marshall Islands, local authorities will retain the body until the investigation is concluded. Neither the Embassy nor a repatriation company can override this. The embassy or consulate of the person who died (for British nationals, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) can provide consular support but cannot intervene in another country's judicial process. The timeline in these cases is entirely dependent on the local investigation.