When someone dies abroad it can make things even more complex. Being responsible for the care of a loved one who’s died abroad can be challenging. If this is a situation you or your family are facing, here is some practical advice from our repatriation specialists.
Essential Information Anticipated
- Confirm where your loved one has been taken: a hospital or local funeral director
- Establish if a local embassy, employer, police or other third party are involved
- Confirm any insurance policies such as travel or employer’s insurance that may provide repatriation cover
- Have their passport details which include the passport number, name as it appears, and place of issue
- It’s also helpful to have their personal details: date of birth, address, holiday or visa information to hand
- Determine who will act as Next of Kin and who decisions should be channelled through
Who Will Help Me, and How?
If your loved one had travel or employer insurance that covers repatriation, they will advise you on the protocols to follow and the levels of assistance they can provide. It may be possible to nominate a repatriation specialists like Purves Repatriation or local funeral directors overseas in the place of death. We recommend you check what freedom you have with the insurer before engaging independent help.
If no insurance policy exists, then contact us so we can help. We’re available 24/7 and can guide you through the specifics that are relevant to you and your circumstances. From our experience, you will need to:
- Contact the local embassy or consulate for advice on registering the death locally. This is essential to trigger the paperwork required for repatriation and we may be able to assist with registration and translation if required.
- A death certificate is required for any onward repatriation. In some countries, embalming certificates and other permits may also be required. As repatriation specialists, we will ensure that all legal regulations are respected, and necessary paperwork is received before any bookings for onward travel can be made.
A full repatriation service
We will guide you through the practical steps of repatriation no matter where your loved one died. Our service includes overseeing logistics, administrative support and most importantly care when bringing your loved one home to the UK.
Repatriation can be subject to delays both in terms of local investigations and potential travel delays. We know how important it is to keep you updated throughout the process and can offer additional support from concierge services such as booking you on the same flights or helping with accommodation.
As fifth-generation funeral directors, you’ll be in good hands when it comes to arranging a funeral. Care of your loved one from the earliest to their last journey becomes our priority. Purves Repatriation offers personal and compassionate care from funeral directors as well as the expertise needed to bring people safely home.
