Read FAREWELL TO URUSEMAL: Uniquely outer-island Yapese – Chikin Meļeļe for Alex Rhowuniong’s original article. Credit to Manu Lester Taweryan Hashigelur for video clips of President Urusemal’s funeral.
Watch the funeral: THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE JOSEPH J URUSEMEL, PRESIDENT OF THE FSM, 2025
The Federated States of Micronesia bids farewell to its sixth president, Joseph John Urusemal. President Urusemal was laid to rest on Satawal Island — the home island of his wife which also happens to be the home island of the late master navigator Mau Piailug.
“After falling ill in Yap, President Urusemal was brought to Palau for medical treatment When he returned to his final rest, the Xavierite community in Palau and members of Palau government raised the funds that made his return possible. Known for humility and traditional outer-island leadership, he was honored with a nearly three-week farewell.”
Leader of the Satawalese community on Guam, Sam Ilesugam flew down to Yap to travel with Urusemal’s body, traveling by boat to each island before burying his former President and former congressman. He posted a photo of the waves left in the wake of the ship as they were traveling. He said: “Thank God for the smooth sailing” but underneath the calm surface so many feelings churned beneath. As he said, “So much emotions, yet words don’t come easy!”
Urusemal’s journey home united people across oceans, a final tribute to a leader grounded in service, tradition, and love for his islands.
From Palau to Yap, and across the Pacific to Satawal, his journey home spanned more than two weeks— a voyage marked by unity, reverence, and smooth sailing.
The former Lieutenant Governor of Yap, Andrew Yatiman, made the journey. As they traveled to return the former president home, he said: “Left Yap Monday afternoon… with short stops at Ulithi, Fais, and Eauripik… hoping to reach Woleai by morning.” From Woleai, the island where Urusemal was born, they continued on to Satawal, where he was buried.
Urusemal’s in-law, Greg Erakilur said: “It was very different, very unique from other state funerals I had seen.”
Erakilur, like Ilesugam, came down from Guam to take the body home. He said, “We had so much water where you’d have roads… and miles and miles of it, too. At every stop, at every island, people would come out and bid their farewells with wailings for our beloved Urusemal. On this trip, I’ve witnessed so much. We are deeply touched and thankful for everyone.”
Even as Urusemal blazed the trail for his people in “ways of the foreigners,” he also renewed the traditional practices of his people as they honored his life and his passing. Attended by his colleagues, looked over by his elderly aunties and sisters, whole communities from the various islands at each atoll came to bid their farewells. As Ilesugam said, “If you could see them surrounding you melap. It’s been very emotional!”
