DATE: September 21, 2017
TO: Department of State – CA/OCS/ACS/EAP
FROM: American Embassy, Majuro
TAGS: CASC
SUBJECT: DEATH: Disposition of Remains Report
REF: 7 FAM 260
Part I. Name of Country
Marshall Islands
Part II. U.S. Embassy Information
U.S. Embassy, Majuro
Address: Mejen Weto, Long Island, Majuro 96960
Phone: (692) 247-4011
Fax: (692) 247-4012
State Department Country Specific Information
State Department Travel Information
Register with the U.S. Embassy with the Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP)
Part III. Profile of Religions of the Host Country and Religious Services Available to Visitors
Country Profile: Visit the State Department’s website, “Background Note: Marshall Islands”
Religions: Christianity, primarily Protestant denominations. Other Christian denominations include Roman Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist, Mormon, Salvation Army, and Jehovah’s Witness. Small Jewish and Ahmadiyya Muslim communities also exist.
Religious Activities for Visitors: Some English-language services are available in the Majuro areas for members of most denominations.
Part IV. Funeral Directors, Mortician and Related Services Available in the Host Country
DISCLAIMER: The U.S. Embassy, Majuro, Marshall Islands assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following institutions. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the service providers.
There are no funeral directors or private morticians available in the Marshall Islands. All preparation of remains is done by the Ministry of Health. The quality of care provided is substandard to the expectations of individuals using a reputable funeral company in the United States.
- Majuro Public Hospital
Delap Island, adjacent to Capitol Building
Majuro Atoll
Mortician Point of Contact: Nexon Jablon
Tel: (692) 625-3355
Cell Phone: (692) 455-2244
Embalming Point of Contact: Nexon Jablon
Tel: (692) 625-3355
Cell Phone: (692) 455-2244
- Ebeye Hospital
Kwajalein Atoll
Point of Contact: Mr. Johnny Choban
Tel: (692) 329-8030/9911
- Pacific Islands International (Cremation Services only)
Long Island
Majuro Atoll
Point of Contact: Ms. Aiyako Schmidt
Tel: (692) 625-3122
- Medi-Source Pacific Inc. (Hearse transportation service only)
Uliga, Majuro
Point of Contact: Mr. Sandy Alfred
Tel: (692) 625-3784
Part V. Profile of Services Available in the Marshall Islands Regarding Preparation and Shipment of Remains
- MAXIMUM PERIOD BEFORE BURIAL OF REMAINS/EMBALMING
RMI law does not place a time limit on burial, whether or not the remains are embalmed. However, local custom generally dictates that a body be buried or embalmed within seven days from death. If a body is embalmed, the body is usually buried after seven days. While burial is the most common way of disposing of remains, land is scarce and there are no public cemeteries.
- EMBALMING
All embalming is performed by the Ministry of Health, either in Majuro or Ebeye. Embalming is generally done as soon as possible but no later than 7 days after death.
- CREMATION
Cremation is uncommon, due to cultural and religious taboos against the practice. There are no crematoria in the Marshall Islands. However, some have contracted with Pacific Island International to perform cremation services on an ad hoc basis. PII cremation procedures will not result in the same sized fine ash as it does in the United States. There are no defined legal requirements related to cremation.
- CASKETS AND CONTAINERS
There are no Marshallese laws governing the exportation of human remains. A casket containing a body or human ashes is treated as ordinary freight. The sole international airline servicing the Marshall Islands—United/Continental—requires that the body be placed in a metal lined casket. The casket is then placed in a freight carton. Some local companies have a few caskets in stock and can build a casket upon request. Casket can be requested from the Ministry of Health.
Ashes are placed in a sealed container suitable to pass through the x-ray machine as required by TSA when they are carried by an individual on board an aircraft or mailed overseas through the U.S. Postal Service.
- EXPORTATION OF REMAINS
Documentary requirements for exportation of human remains are as follows:
HUMAN REMAINS
- Death Certificate from the Ministry of Health, issued and signed by a physician;
- Removal Form stating that the remains have no quarantined diseases issued and signed by a physician;
- Embalming certificate issued by the Ministry of Health;
- Memo from National police department documenting approval for remains to leave the island;
- Consular Report of Death issued by the Consular Officer.
HUMAN CREMAINS/ASHES
- Death Certificate from the Ministry of Health, issued and signed by a physician;
- Consular Report of Death, issued by the Consular Officer.
- COSTS
Charges are based on the U.S. Dollar which is the currency of the Marshall Islands.
Local Burial:
Estimated costs including wood casket, certificates, embalming and burial at cemetery with service:
US$975
Local Cremation:
Estimated costs including transportation of remains to PII facilities and cremation fees:
US$1,800
Preparation and shipment of deceased to USA:
Estimated costs related to preparation of human remains for shipment (assuming 200KG) including embalming, metal casket, shipping container, legal documentation and certificates, and shipping costs by air from Majuro:
To Honolulu US$2,650
To Washington D.C. US$4,650
Preparation and shipment of cremated remains to USA:
Estimated costs including cremation fees and shipment costs:
US$1,800
Contact United Airlines Cargo for more information:
-
- Airport 247-3160 or 247-3092
NOTE: All prices quoted above are estimated shipping costs only and may be subject to change.
- EXHUMATION AND SHIPMENT
Exhumation of remains is extremely rare in the Marshall Islands. No officials at the Ministry of Health recall any exhumation occurring in recent history. There are no established protocols or laws regarding an exhumation. The Ministry of Health will address exhumation on an ad hoc basis.
- AUTOPSIES
Autopsies are rare in the Marshall Islands and generally are only performed upon request from the RMI National Court or the RMI Attorney General’s office. The costs and procedures vary according to the specific circumstances surrounding the death. The Ministry of Health is responsible for conducting the autopsy, however, there are currently no qualified coroners in country.
- REMARKS
Marshallese funeral includes a wake, burial in a family grave, and a memorial ceremony. During the wake, known as the Ilomej, the embalmed body usually remains in the custody of the family for one week, during which time extended family and friends pay their respects and celebrate the life of the deceased. Mourners traditionally bring condolence money (usually one dollar per person) and surviving family members prepare a large quantity of food for those who pay their respects during the week. The Ilomej is frequently the most expensive part of a funeral and can cost over $5,000.
The burial ceremony usually occurs about one week after death. As the body is laid in the grave, remarks are given by the Iroij (paramount chief) and Alap (chief) who own the land where the dead is buried and the parents or immediate relatives of the deceased.
Three days after the burial, a memorial service, known as the Eorak, is conducted at the burial site. Family members place white pebbles or coral around the grave site, signifying that tensions among family members have been removed and the dead may rest in peace.
