What to do if someone dies in Northern Mariana Islands

What to Do When Someone Dies in the Northern Mariana Islands

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is a US commonwealth territory in the western Pacific. US federal law governs body export from the CNMI — this runs alongside the UK Coroner import requirements. There are no direct UK flights from Saipan.

Call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 immediately. The British Embassy Tokyo (+81 3 5211 1100) handles the CNMI on a non-resident basis.

Step 1: Notify the Authorities

The attending physician or hospital certifies the death. Deaths are registered with CNMI Vital Statistics. For non-natural deaths, the CNMI Medical Examiner has jurisdiction and must issue clearance before the body can leave the territory.

Step 2: Outer Island Transfer

Deaths on Tinian or Rota require inter-island transfer to Saipan before international repatriation can proceed. Arrange this through a local funeral director or your specialist firm.

Step 3: US Federal Export Requirements

All international body transfers from the CNMI must comply with US federal requirements:

• Embalming to US federal standard
• US federal air transport certificate
• CNMI Vital Statistics death certificate

Step 4: Prepare the Documentation

Step 5: Arrange the Flight

From Saipan International Airport (SPN):

• United Airlines or Japan Airlines SPN to Tokyo Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND), then UK connections
• Via Guam (GUM) then onward to Tokyo or direct to Honolulu

Allow 24 or more hours of transit time.

Step 6: 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, Northern Mariana Islands (last reviewed 2025); CNMI Medical Examiner; US Federal Trade Commission Funeral Rule; FCDO Consular Services Overview.