Terminal Illness & End-of-Life Planning in Samoa: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Coordinate Palliative Care, Home Nursing, and Health Coverage

   • Public hospital and community palliative care: In Samoa, inpatient specialist care, oncology support, and symptom management are coordinated through Tupua Tamasese Meaole (TTM) Hospital in Motootua (Apia), Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital in Tuasivi (Savai'i), and rural district hospitals operating under the Ministry of Health [1]. Families should request a formal clinical summary, pain-relief prescription plan, and referral to community nursing or charitable home-care support (such as the Samoa Cancer Society for oncology patients) [1].
   • Public healthcare concessions and overseas medical referral: Citizens and permanent residents aged 65 and over registered with the Senior Citizens Benefit Fund under the Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF) receive free medical consultations, inpatient hospital care, and prescription pharmaceuticals at government health facilities, as well as free inter-island ferry travel between Upolu and Savai'i [2]. Where specialized palliative or clinical treatment is arranged through the Samoa Medical Treatment Scheme, referrals are coordinated with the Ministry of Health [1].
   • Maintaining clinical records at home: Keep an accessible folder containing the ill person's hospital discharge summaries, medication charts, and attending doctor's contact details so community nurses or visiting physicians can provide seamless symptom relief at home [1].
2. 2

   Record Advance Care Preferences and Designate a Medical Representative

   • Written advance medical care statement: Samoa does not currently have a standalone statutory living will act, so clinical consent and end-of-life treatment decisions are governed by common-law principles of informed consent and health service regulations administered by the Ministry of Health [1]. While your family member retains full decision-making capacity, they should sign a written statement recording their preferences regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), artificial ventilation, intensive care interventions, and comfort-focused care.
   • Designating a primary healthcare proxy: Because extended family (aiga) consultations are central in Samoan medical settings, having the ill person explicitly name one primary medical spokesperson in their hospital chart and in a witnessed written document prevents uncertainty when urgent treatment decisions arise [1] [3].
   • Lodging directives with the treating team: Provide copies of the signed care statement and spokesperson designation to the attending consultant at TTM Hospital or the relevant district hospital so the medical team records these instructions directly in the clinical file [1].
3. 3

   Execute Valid Financial Powers of Attorney and Bank Mandates

   • General or Specific Power of Attorney: Under Samoan property and contract law (including the Property Law Act 1952), an adult with full mental capacity may execute a Deed of Power of Attorney appointing a trusted relative or legal representative (attorney-in-fact) to manage bank accounts, pay bills, sign legal documents, and administer property in Samoa [3] [4]. The Power of Attorney should be drafted by a practicing lawyer or notary public in Samoa and signed in the presence of an adult witness.
   • Capacity and registration rules: Unless expressly structured and recognized under applicable statutory provisions, an ordinary Power of Attorney ceases to operate if the donor loses mental capacity; therefore, executing both a formal Power of Attorney and direct bank signing mandates while capacity is completely intact is essential [3] [4]. If the Power of Attorney authorizes dealings with freehold land leases or conveyances, it must be registered with the Land Registry [3].
   • Commercial bank mandates: Commercial banks in Samoa (such as Bank South Pacific, ANZ Samoa, and National Bank of Samoa) often require customers to sign the bank's own Third-Party Authority Form or convert an individual account into a joint signatory account in person while the account holder is able to attend the branch or verify identity [3].
4. 4

   Activate Incapacity, Provident Fund, and Senior Citizen Benefits

   • Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF) medical incapacity withdrawals: If your family member is a contributing or inactive member of the Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF) and is certified by a recognized medical board or government specialist as permanently physically or mentally incapacitated from engaging in further employment, they can apply for an early medical incapacity withdrawal or pension payout while alive [2].
   • Senior Citizens Benefit Fund (SCBF) entitlements: If the ill person is aged 65 or older and a resident citizen or permanent resident of Samoa, ensure they are enrolled in the Senior Citizens Benefit Fund administered by the Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF) to receive the monthly cash pension and public hospital healthcare exemptions [2]. If mobility limitations prevent the pensioner from collecting funds or updating details in person, an authorized representative can arrange home verification with SNPF officers [2].
   • Caregiver leave and workplace arrangements: Under the Labour and Employment Relations Act 2013, employed family members caring for a seriously ill relative in Samoa can request paid sick/dependents leave, annual leave, or flexible compassionate leave arrangements through their employer [1] [3].
5. 5

   Review Wills, Nominee Designations, Civil Records, and Customary vs. Freehold Assets

   • Executing or updating a valid Will: Under the Wills Act 1975 and the Administration Act 1975, a valid Will in Samoa must be in writing and signed by the testator in the presence of at least two independent adult witnesses who are present at the same time and who are not beneficiaries (nor spouses of beneficiaries) under the Will [4]. Preparing a clear Will simplifies subsequent probate proceedings before the Supreme Court Division of the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (MJCA) [3] [4].
   • Distinguishing freehold property from customary land: When organizing estate documents under the Administration Act 1975, keep in mind that a Will can only dispose of freehold land, leasehold interests, and personal property (such as bank balances, business shares, and vehicles) [4]. Customary land and matai titles cannot be transferred by Will and remain subject to Samoan custom and usage under the jurisdiction of the Land and Titles Court within the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (MJCA) [3] [4].
   • Updating SNPF nominations and civil registry records: While your family member has full capacity, they should review and update their official beneficiary Nomination Form with the Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF), as valid SNPF nominations allow benefits to be paid directly to named dependents [2]. Simultaneously, verify that birth certificates and marriage certificates are accurate and on file with the Births, Deaths and Marriages Division of the Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS) [5] [6]. If assets or family members are located in New Zealand, Australia, or the United States, coordinate separate local wills or Apostilled powers of attorney so cross-border assets can be managed without delay [3] [4].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Health Acts, Regulations and Public Health Services in Samoa — Ministry of Health
2. [2]
   Senior Citizens Benefit Fund (SCBF) and SNPF Member Benefits — Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF)
3. [3]
   Civil Courts and Supreme Court Registry - Probate and Legal Administration — Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration (MJCA)
4. [4]
   Administration Act 1975 (Estates, Wills, and Succession Rules) — Office of the Attorney General of Samoa
5. [5]
   Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) Civil Registry Services — Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS)
6. [6]
   Frequently Asked Questions on Civil Registration Documents in Samoa — Samoa Bureau of Statistics (SBS)