Wellington  - More than 5,000 people on Friday attended a national memorial service in the Pacific island state of Samoa for victims of last week's devastating tsunami, Radio New Zealand reported from the capital Apia.

A total of 143 people were confirmed dead in Samoa as a result of the tsunami, which followed a magnitude 8 earthquake in the region, and six are still missing. At least 32 people died in neighbouring American Samoa and nine in Tonga.

The Samoan government's offer of a mass funeral was turned down by most grieving families with only 11 bodies buried at a special site at the national cemetery following the service, Radio New Zealand said.

The government had initially expected about 100 victims to be buried in the mass grave, but most families have opted for private burials in keeping with the local tradition of laying their dead to rest close to their homes.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi gave the eulogy at the service after declaring the day one of national mourning with a public holiday in the afternoon.

He told Radio New Zealand earlier that the names of all the victims would be put on a memorial in the cemetery and a remembrance service would be held every year. (dpa)