What to Do When Someone Dies in Fiji: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Obtain Medical Certification of Death

   • Hospital or health center deaths: When a death occurs in a divisional hospital (such as Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, Lautoka Hospital, or Labasa Hospital), sub-divisional hospital, or private clinic overseen by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the attending medical officer examines the deceased and issues the official Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) [1]. Request multiple certified copies, as the original is required to register the death and obtain burial or cremation clearance [1] [2].
   • Deaths at home (natural causes): If your family member died at home from a known natural illness, notify the nearest sub-divisional health center or treating physician and the local Fiji Police Force station immediately [1]. If the deceased was under recent medical care, the attending medical officer may issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death; otherwise, the body is transferred to the nearest public hospital mortuary for medical verification [1].
   • Unexpected, accidental, or unexplained deaths: Under Fiji's Inquests Act, any sudden, accidental, violent, or unexplained death (including deaths occurring without recent medical attendance) must be reported immediately to the Fiji Police Force [1] [2]. Police officers secure the scene and transfer the deceased to a public hospital mortuary, where a forensic pathologist performs a post-mortem examination under the authority of the Resident Magistrate acting as Coroner before releasing the body and issuing the medical/coronial certificate for registration [1] [2].
2. 2

   Register the Death with the Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) Registry

   • Competent civil registry authority: Under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act, all deaths occurring in Fiji must be registered with the Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) Registry under the Ministry of Justice (or at a Divisional/District Registrar office or Post Fiji agency point in outer islands and rural districts) [2].
   • Statutory registration deadline: The next of kin, relative present at the death, or person arranging the funeral must register the death within 2 months (60 days) of the date of death [2]. In practice, registration is completed within a few days of death because the official Death Certificate is needed for funeral permits, pension claims, and banking notifications [2] [3]. Late registration after two months requires a statutory declaration and formal approval by the Registrar-General [2].
   • Required documents and Death Certificate issuance: Present the original Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), the deceased's Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate (if applicable), Voter Identification Card or Fijian passport, and the informant's valid photo ID [2]. Upon registration, the BDM Registry issues the official Death Certificate [2]. If the deceased was an iTaukei (indigenous Fijian) landowner, the Death Certificate should also be presented to the Native Lands Commission (Vola ni Kawa Bula / VKB registry) to update customary lineage records [2] [4].
3. 3

   Arrange Burial, Cremation, or International Repatriation

   • Local burial or cremation permits: Under the Public Health Act and Burial and Cremation Act administered by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and municipal councils, burial takes place in an authorized municipal, religious, or village cemetery [1] [2]. For cremation (whether at a municipal crematorium such as Nasinu or a traditional cremation site), you must obtain a formal Cremation Permit from the Divisional Medical Officer or police authority confirming that the cause of death has been medically certified and no coronial inquiry is pending [1] [2].
   • International repatriation of human remains or ashes: If the deceased was a foreign national or if remains/ashes must be repatriated abroad, a licensed funeral director coordinates with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (for a Free From Infection Certificate, Embalming Certificate, and Coffin Sealing Certificate), the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, and the relevant foreign High Commission or Embassy in Suva [1] [5].
   • Apostille under the 1961 Hague Convention: Fiji is a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention [2]. Any Fijian Death Certificate, Coroner's report, or High Court probate grant required for legal use in another Apostille member country can be authenticated with an official Apostille issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Suva (or the designated Competent Authority), eliminating the need for multi-step consular legalization in treaty states [2].
4. 4

   Claim FNPF Funeral Assistance and Survivor Benefits and Notify Tax and Banks

   • Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) Funeral Assistance and Death Benefit: If the deceased was a member of the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF), notify FNPF promptly [3]. FNPF provides a statutory Funeral Assistance Grant (Special Death Benefit) (FJD 2,000 for active eligible members under the Special Death Benefit scheme) to help cover immediate funeral expenses, in addition to the full balance of the member's FNPF preserved and general accounts plus any additional Special Death Benefit lump sum (up to FJD 8,500 subject to annual scheme rules) paid to the valid nominated beneficiaries [3]. If no valid FNPF nomination exists on file, FNPF pays the balance via the High Court probate grant or the Public Trustee [2] [3].
   • Social welfare and Accident Compensation Commission Fiji (ACCF): If the deceased received the Social Pension Scheme or Poverty Benefit Scheme under the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, notify the Department of Social Welfare to close the allowance [3] [4]. If the death resulted from a motor vehicle, workplace, or school accident in Fiji, survivors may claim a statutory lump-sum accidental death compensation payment from the Accident Compensation Commission Fiji (ACCF) [3] [4].
   • Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) and banking notifications: Present the Death Certificate to all commercial banks in Fiji (such as BSP, ANZ, Westpac, BRED Bank, or HFC Bank) to freeze individual accounts pending estate administration [2] [5]. Notify the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) using the deceased's Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to file any final income tax return and obtain tax clearance for estate distribution [5].
5. 5

   Administer the Estate, Probate, and Succession

   • Probate and Letters of Administration under the Succession, Probate and Administration Act: Estate administration in Fiji is governed by the Succession, Probate and Administration Act and overseen by the Probate Registry of the High Court of Fiji (within the Judicial Department / Ministry of Justice framework) [2].
     • Testate estates (with a valid Will): The named executor applies to the High Court of Fiji for a Grant of Probate, which includes publishing a mandatory 14-day Notice of Intention to Apply in a national newspaper to allow creditors or claimants to lodge caveats [2].
     • Intestate estates (no Will): The surviving spouse or next of kin applies to the High Court for Letters of Administration, or entrusts the estate to the Fiji Public Trustee Corporation Limited (which holds statutory authority to administer intestate and small estates across Fiji) [2]. Under statutory intestacy rules, the surviving spouse receives the personal chattels, a statutory pecuniary legacy, and a share of the residuary estate alongside surviving children [2].
   • Taxation of estates and property transfers: Fiji does not levy an inheritance tax or estate duty, and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) transmitted by reason of death to an executor or beneficiary is deferred/exempt at the time of inheritance under Fiji Revenue and Customs Service rules [5]. However, stamp duty and registration fees apply when registering a Transmission by Death on Freehold, State Lease, or iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) leases at the Office of the Registrar of Titles [2] [5].
   • Cross-border estates and Resealing of Foreign Grants: Under Fiji's British and Colonial Probates Act, a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration issued by a court in a recognized Commonwealth jurisdiction (such as Australia, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom) can be resealed by the High Court of Fiji to administer Fijian bank accounts or land without starting a full local probate proceeding from scratch [2]. Heirs residing abroad may appoint an attorney in Fiji via an Apostilled Power of Attorney [2].

   Step	Deadline	Authority
   1. Obtain Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)	Immediately upon death	Ministry of Health and Medical Services / Fiji Police Force Coroner
   2. Register death and obtain official Death Certificate	Within 2 months (60 days) of death	Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) Registry (Ministry of Justice)
   3. Obtain burial, cremation, or repatriation permits	Prior to funeral or international transport	Ministry of Health and Medical Services / Municipal Council
   4. Claim FNPF Funeral Assistance & notify FRCS / banks	Promptly after obtaining Death Certificate	Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) / Fiji Revenue and Customs Service
   5. Apply for Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration	After publishing 14-day statutory newspaper notice	High Court of Fiji Probate Registry / Fiji Public Trustee

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   World Health Organization - Fiji Health System and Medical Services Overview — World Health Organization (WHO)
2. [2]
   Fiji Country Profile, Vital Statistics, and Institutional Indicators — World Bank
3. [3]
   Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific - Fiji (FNPF) — U.S. Social Security Administration / ISSA
4. [4]
   Ministry of Health and Medical Services - Fiji Public Health Administration — Ministry of Health and Medical Services of Fiji
5. [5]
   Fiji Revenue and Customs Service - Tax and Customs Administration — Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS)