Two village councils in Samoa have banned the use of imported canned fish, various red meats and also chicken parts in village funerals.
Sala'ilua and Sili on Savaii island are the first villages in Samoa to announce the ban after a government initiative to ease massive financial burdens facing some families after a funeral.
The government's move comes after several families were prosecuted for not being able to pay a bill at a local wholesale store for imported meats and canned fish which were purchased for a family funeral.
A few of the families overseas relatives were also unable to return home after the funeral because their passports were taken by the store.
Their passports can only be returned once the debt is paid in full.
