Arranging international transport of a loved one

Losing someone you love is never easy but should a person close to you pass away overseas, the situation becomes more complicated. Bringing your loved one home for a funeral in Perth or a cremation service can be overwhelming during this time of grief.

What is repatriation?

Repatriation when related to death means the transportation of the deceased, be it their body or ashes, to a different country. Finding experienced and compassionate repatriation services in Perth can be extremely helpful when navigating this field that is unknown to most.

The length of time for a repatriation to take place varies greatly, as it depends on the cause of death, the other country involved in the repatriation as well as a number of logistical matters. In an extremely straight forward situation, it can be resolved in 1-2 weeks, but many times it can take up to a month for the whole process to be completed.

Contact the authorities and local Embassy

The local regulations in the country your loved one died in will affect the exact steps to take, and the repatriation time. Contact local authorities immediately to get things underway, and it can be a good idea to get in touch with the local Australian Embassy to acquire niche assistance from within the country in question. They can also act as go-betweens with authorities, and provide key updates while you are considering funerals in Perth. It is also usually necessary to contact a funeral home there as they will assist with the repatriation from their end.

Death registration

You will need to register the death within the country the deceased is in. The required details may vary, and a consulate connection can help clarify what is needed. Typically, the main information of the deceased focuses on:

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Next of kin
  • Passport number
  • Country of passport and date of issue.

Find a repatriation provider

Working with an experienced repatriation provider can not only ensure a smooth, efficient process, it will almost certainly reduce the stress and uncertainty you are facing while dealing with the loss of a loved one. After selecting repatriation services in Perth, your provider can liaise with a local funeral director in the overseas country, to look after the body until repatriation.

They will also be responsible for gathering key documents for the process to go ahead:

  • Local death certificate (translated to English where applicable)
  • Passport of the deceased
  • Permission from authorities to remove the body (both Government and health departments)
  • Embalming certificate (embalming is required on international flights)
  • Confirmation from the airline
  • Any medical letters