What to do if someone dies in Micronesia

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 21–56 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.

Source: FCDO Travel Advice — Federated States of Micronesia (updated 2024). British Embassy Manila consular services. FSM Department of Health vital statistics guidance.