Death of An American Citizen

DEATH CERTIFICATE/DOCTOR'S CERTIFICATE:  The attending physician or other responsible government official will provide the doctor’s certificate.

MAXIMUM PERIOD BEFORE BURIAL:   There is no legislation prescribing maximum periods between death and burial

EMBALMING. Embalming facilities do not exist in the country and no legislation exists concerning embalming.

CREMATION:  Cremation facilities do not exist in the country, although local laws do not forbid cremation.

CASKETS AND CONTAINERS.  Lead and metal caskets are not available in the country, although, it is possible that at Tarawa, the capital, and Ocean Island, a metal casket could be manufactured should the material be available.

EXPORTATION OF REMAINS.  Ashes may be transmitted through the mail if properly packed.  Bodies may be shipped from the country.

EXHUMATION AND SHIPMENT.  There are no laws in Kiribati governing the disinterment and exportation of remains which have already been buried.

APPROXIMATE COSTS.  Burial is normally a free service by local authorities and the fee charged for a cemetery plot is minimal (under $50.00).  The authorities in the country could not estimate the costs of preparation of bodies for shipment and shipping costs from the country to a port in the United States, since such an event has not previously occurred.  Because of the unavailability of caskets, it is doubtful that remains could be returned to the United States.

FUNERAL HOMES AND/OR LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO CAN ASSIST WITH ARRANGEMENTS:   Local government officials in the Ministry of Health would try to assist the family.