Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Norway to Samoa
For families bringing someone home to Samoa. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from Norway to Samoa: what to expect
Repatriation from Norway to Samoa follows Norway's civil registration and export procedures. Most cases take 2-3 weeks.
- Key document: dodsattest (death certificate from Folkeregisteret via Skatteetaten)
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Norway is a Hague Apostille member (1980). This simplifies document authentication.
- Documentation is issued in Norwegian. Certified translation is required where needed.
The process
What happens after a death in Norway
Call 112 (police) or 113 (ambulance) for emergency services. Death is registered with Folkeregisteret (Norwegian Population Register) via Skatteetaten. The official death certificate is the dodsattest. The Norwegian Police Service investigates violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths. Norway is a Hague Apostille Convention member since 1980.
Step by step
Timeline: Norway to Samoa
Immediate steps after death. Report to local emergency services and contact a specialist at once.
Day of death. Contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Dodsattest (death certificate from folkeregisteret via skatteetaten) obtained from Folkeregisteret (Norwegian Population Register), administered by Skatteetaten (Tax Administration).
Registration must occur promptly. The Norwegian Police Service investigates violent or suspicious deaths. Body release requires police clearance before repatriation can proceed.
Local funeral director and civil registry
Embassy or consulate notified. Hague Apostille applies (Samoa joined 1999). English is an official language, so translation is rarely needed.
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation for international air transport.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export permits and authenticated documents obtained. The dodsattest is issued in Norwegian. Certified translation is required for non-Norwegian-speaking destinations.
Allow 5-10 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Oslo Gardermoen (OSL), Bergen (BGO), or Stavanger (SVG) to Faleolo International Airport (APW).
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Funeral director in Samoa takes custody at the cargo terminal at Faleolo International Airport (APW). Samoa Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration notified; documentation issued in English throughout.
Within 24-48 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In Samoa
When the body arrives in Samoa
The funeral director in Samoa takes custody at the cargo terminal at Faleolo International Airport (APW). Death is registered with Samoa Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration, with a post-mortem from TTM Hospital, Apia, where required, before the Ministry of Health issues the export permit. Samoa has been a Hague Apostille Convention member since 13 September 1999. Samoa observes Sunday strictly; official processing does not progress on that day.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Norway to Samoa
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Norway to Samoa takes 2-3 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 7-14 days. Complex cases involving criminal investigation or remote locations can take 3-6 weeks.
The core documents are: dodsattest (death certificate from Folkeregisteret via Skatteetaten), embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, passport of the deceased, and all required export permits. The dodsattest is issued in Norwegian. Certified translation is required for non-Norwegian-speaking destinations.
The funeral director in Samoa takes custody at the cargo terminal at Faleolo International Airport (APW). Death is registered with Samoa Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration, with a post-mortem from TTM Hospital, Apia, where required, before the Ministry of Health issues the export permit. Samoa has been a Hague Apostille Convention member since 13 September 1999. Samoa observes Sunday strictly; official processing does not progress on that day. All documentation from Norway must be in order before the body is released for the funeral.
Yes. Cremation in Norway is an option in most cases, though local authorities must release the body before cremation can take place. You will need the death certificate, cremation certificate, and an export permit for the ashes. Ashes are simpler to transport than a body and carry lower cargo costs. Ask our team for specific guidance on your case.
Yes, and it is worth planning around. Samoa observes Sunday strictly: government offices close, and official documentation does not move that day. A case reaching the Ministry of Health on a Saturday afternoon will typically wait until Monday to progress. On the plus side, English is an official language alongside Samoan, so death certificates and most paperwork need no translation, which is not the case for most Pacific destinations on this site.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Norway, please do not face this alone. Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing them home to Samoa.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: Official guidance on a death in Norway (gov.uk) · Norway repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions