Repatriation and Funerals: what is involved?

Professionals in many different industries use the term repatriation, but in the funeral sector, it refers to the process of bringing the recently departed back to their area of residence. This idea can cause an understandable amount of concern. Handling a bereavement is difficult enough without having to deal with bureaucracy too. While some people have a basic understanding of what’s involved in repatriation of this nature, at Capital Life, we find that most people are unaware of the ins and outs involved in bringing a loved one home for a proper ceremony.

If you are suddenly responsible for arranging repatriation for a loved one, the task at hand can be extremely daunting. Likewise, the same often applies if you are planning for your own send-off and aren’t sure how to approach the subject. It is a contingency that most of us won’t ever have considered planning for. In this post, we want to shed some light on the subject and answer all your questions about repatriation and funerals.

What’s Involved in Repatriation?

There is a certain amount of hassle involved in any repatriation, but the steps you will have to take largely depend upon where the person concerned passed away. When abroad, the first step is usually contacting the nearest British embassy and – if you booked your trip through one – your holiday package provider. Either will be able to talk you through the local intricacies involved in transporting a loved one. These are subject to various cultural and legal requirements around the world. Costs will certainly be incurred at this stage, from securing the necessary paperwork to mortuary fees and embalming charges.

How Much Does Repatriation Cost?

As mentioned, this really depends on where the  recently departed is coming from and going to. In a 2007 article, the Guardian explored the cost of repatriation to countries that often concern Brits abroad: Australia, and Spain. Repatriating someone from Spain cost approximately $4,700 to $6,500 US dollars, while the cost of bringing home a loved one from Australia soared as high as $17,000.

Will My Insurance Cover Repatriation?

The idea that you or a loved one could pass away unexpectedly while abroad is harrowing enough, but to think that your next of kin could be saddled with a bill in the region of thousands of pounds to recover you is unthinkable. Fortunately, many travel insurance policies have a standardised clause which may cover repatriation in these circumstances – subject to an excess. These policies often have an upper limit of cover and may not pay out if the passing comes as a result of a pre-existing condition. Double check the terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to make sure you are fully-covered.

What About Repatriation Within the UK?

This is one of those areas that few people are aware of. If you pass away in another area of the UK, other than the region where you plan to have your send-off, there is a certain amount of bureaucracy to wade through too. Some life insurance policies cover transportation of the departed to an agreed funeral home, but there can be caveats within these policies. Living executors of the departed may have to find quotes themselves before policies will pay out. They may even need to pay upfront while waiting for insurance claims to clear.

Capital Life Funeral Plans: Repatriation Services Guaranteed

At Capital Life, we have dedicated ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in customer service and superior service provisions. Our repatriation service is completely transparent, with clear approximate costs available for various destinations around the world. We can even help secure cover for dignified transport of those recently departed across the UK, removing one of those painful hurdles for the next of kin to carry out when the time comes.
If you would like more information about repatriating a loved one, simply contact a member of the Capital Life team today.

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