Death of an American Citizen

DEATH CERTIFICATE:  The official death certificate is issued by the Registrar General and can take several months to receive.  Bodies can be returned to the U.S. based on the doctor’s certificate.

MAXIMUM PERIOD BEFORE BURIAL:   Provided the body is not decomposed or the mortuary is not already full, the body may be kept in the mortuary for up to a week or even longer upon request.  If the body is not embalmed, it must be buried within 24 hours.

EMBALMING. Bodies may be embalmed immediately (if no autopsy is ordered) at the Colonia War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva or the Lautoka Hospital.   If no refrigeration is available, embalming should take place within 12 hours of death.  With refrigeration, embalming may be undertaken whenever convenient.  

CREMATION:  Cremation is permitted in Fiji.  There are no proper crematoria.  Cremation is carried out by the local Hindu community in open air on a pyre, according to their traditional rites.  A similar method is used for non-Hindu cremation, but the religious ceremony is omitted.

CASKETS AND CONTAINERS.  Caskets suitable for shipping remains to the U.S. are available in Fiji.

EXPORTATION OF REMAINS.  For bodies to be exported, the death must not be due to an infectious disease, the body must be embalmed, and the body must be encased in a hermetically-sealed containter and then place in an ordinary coffin.  The embassy will work with the local funeral home director to provide the necessary documents.

Ashes can be placed in an ordinary urn or container, which must then be sealed.

EXHUMATION AND SHIPMENT.  There is no fixed or minimum period of interment before remains may be exhumed.  No exhumation my be carried out until the Health Authority is satisfied that there is no danger to public health.  Application for disinterment must be made to the Commissioner of the Division.

APPROXIMATE COSTS. 

--Embalming:  Approximately USD 200.
--Local burial can cost from USD 500 to 1500 depending on the casket chosen. 
--Cremation, including transport charges, will usually cost approximately USD 500-800. 
--Preparation for shipment including embalming, casket, and sealing would cost approximately USD 1500-2000.
--Transportation from Suva to Nadi by road transport would be approximately USD 300.  By air USD 500.  Transportation from the outer islands could be difficult to arrange because of the lack of cargo space on the light aircraft operating within the country.
--Exact international shipping costs from Nadi International Airport to the U.S. can be obtained from airlines directly.  Current charges range within the vicinity of USD 2000 for approximately 250 kg to the west coast and USD 2500 to the east coast.

FUNERAL HOMES AND/OR LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO CAN ASSIST WITH ARRANGEMENTS:   

Suva:  Patton and Storck Funeral Home.  Contact:  Ramesh KUMAR . Tel:  330-0826  Cell:  9929972

Lautoka:   Popular Furniture Funeral Home.  Contact:  Mohammed ISMAIL.  Tel:  666-5355.  Cell:  9940409

If the death occurs on one of the other islands, Mr. Kumar or Mr. Ismail may be able to assist with arrangements.