Losing someone while they are abroad can be incredibly difficult for families. Repatriation provides a way to return your loved one home after a death overseas so that funeral proceedings can take place in a familiar location. At Joseph A. Hey & Son funeral directors, we are here to advise and assist with repatriation services during this challenging time.
Key Takeaways:
- Repatriation involves documentation, preparation of remains, international transportation, and customs procedures.
- Reasons for repatriating include adhering to cultural beliefs, honouring wishes of the deceased, family preferences, legal requirements, and avoiding complexities of a burial abroad.
- The process requires coordination between authorities and funeral directors at both ends. Air travel is standard.
- Strict regulations govern the international transfer per the International Arrangement for Carriage of Corpses agreement.
- Repatriation simplifies paperwork and allows funerals to take place in a meaningful location for families.
What is Repatriation?
Repatriation refers to the transportation of human remains from the country of death back to the country of origin. It allows for burial or cremation to take place on home soil in keeping with cultural customs and family wishes.
The repatriation process includes:
- Obtaining documentation like death certificates, autopsy reports, embalming certificates, coroner permits, transit permits.
- Preparing the body for safe international transit through embalming and placement in a protective casket.
- Coordinating transportation via commercial airline or charter flight per regulations.
- Navigating immigration, customs, health checks and clearances in both countries.
- Transferring remains to a local funeral home to complete arrangements.
Why Families Choose Repatriation
There are many reasons a family may choose repatriation after a death abroad, including:
- Adhering to religious or cultural beliefs regarding burial location.
- Fulfilling last wishes of deceased who requested burial in homeland.
- Family preferences for burial in the home country near other loved ones.
- Avoiding complex bureaucracy and high costs of a burial abroad.
- Legal requirements in some jurisdictions requiring non-residents to be repatriated.
- Uncertainty around whether remains can stay in foreign country permanently.
- Lack of family access to grave sites if buried abroad. Repatriation allows visits.
- Desire to have funeral, mourning, and grave memorials take place closer to family and friends.
The Repatriation Process Step-by-Step
If repatriation is determined to be the right option, the detailed process involves:
- Arranging documentation like death certificates, autopsy reports, embalming certificates. The consulate can assist.
- Obtaining transit permits from relevant government authorities.
- Working with funeral directors at both ends to arrange all transportation and admin.
- Preparing and embalming remains in compliance with public health regulations.
- Obtaining a lined, sealed casket designed to protect remains during transportation.
- Booking airline transit; remains and paperwork travel as cargo on commercial flights.
- Coordinating with consulates, customs officials, and airlines to facilitate clearances and meet all requirements.
- Transferring remains upon arrival to local funeral homes for ceremonies.
- Completing all transport and delivery paperwork; copies to authorities.
- Updating family on arrival, facilitating viewing arrangements if requested.
Throughout the process, funeral directors act as facilitators between authorities locally and overseas to ensure compliance.
Why Choose Joseph A. Hey & Son for Repatriation?
At Joseph A. Hey & Son funeral directors, we understand how challenging repatriation arrangements can be after a death abroad. Our experienced team will liaise with officials internationally to ensure the transfer is conducted properly.
We adhere closely to all regulations and complete the necessary clearances and paperwork on your behalf. We aim to minimise distress so you can focus on healing and closure.
If a death has occurred overseas, please contact us to discuss repatriation services. We will walk you through the options compassionately, keeping your family’s wishes and best interests at heart.