Body repatriation, the process of returning a deceased person's body to their home country, is a service often required when someone passes away abroad. While it's essential for closure and respecting cultural or personal wishes, it can be an unexpectedly expensive process. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce these costs without compromising dignity and care. Here’s a detailed guide on how to cut down costs during body repatriation.
Before offering tips on how to reduce costs for body repatriation from the UK or any other country , it's important to first understand the key expenses involved. Knowing what contributes to the overall cost will help you make informed decisions and find opportunities to save.
Here's a breakdown of the main costs:
- Transportation
Costs are often influenced by the distance between the countries, the weight of the casket, and any special handling requirements. Additionally, airlines may charge fees for transporting human remains as cargo, and these rates can vary significantly based on the airline and flight availability.
- Documentation
This includes obtaining the following documents: the death certificate, out-of-england certificate, flight clearance for the deceased, and translations of official documents.
- Local funeral services
The final steps in a body repatriation is to ensure that a local funeral director or authorities are ready to accept the body and continue with the final arrangements
Each of the aspects presented before can be managed in a way that potentially reduces overall expenses.
Work with a Specialized Repatriation Company
Some funeral homes specialize in body repatriation services and can streamline the process for you. They may have partnerships with airlines and foreign funeral homes, which can significantly reduce costs.
Working with experts, such as Funero, can help avoid unnecessary delays or fees that come from miscommunication or mistakes in paperwork. Many of these companies offer packages that include documentation, transportation, and international coordination, which can be more cost-effective than arranging each service independently.
Consider direct cremation
Direct cremation, as opposed to full-body repatriation, can be a more affordable option. Cremated remains are lighter and much less expensive to transport. You’ll also save on costs associated with embalming and specialized containers required for body shipment.
While this option may not align with all cultural or religious preferences, it is worth considering when cost is a major concern.
Air vs. land transportation
When repatriating a loved one, the choice of casket or coffin can significantly impact the overall cost. Why? Because flight costs are often calculated by weight, and caskets tend to be heavier than coffins. To reduce expenses, it’s generally more cost-effective to choose a coffin instead of a casket.
When booking a flight for body repatriation, it’s essential to compare air freight costs across different airlines. At Funero, we ensure that all possible airlines offering this service are checked. Some airlines may even provide discounted rates for transporting human remains as part of their humanitarian policies. Additionally, exploring alternative flight routes can sometimes result in lower rates, even if the journey takes longer. This can be an effective way to cut down on costs.
For repatriations within Europe, another option to consider is land transportation. Land repatriation, which involves transporting the body by road, is often much cheaper than air travel. It also eliminates the need to coordinate with a local funeral director for transportation services from the airport.
Check with the consulate or embassy
Most countries’ consulates and embassies offer assistance with body repatriation. Some countries provide financial help or reduced costs for citizens who die abroad. The embassy can also guide you through the paperwork, saving you time and money spent on costly mistakes or delays.
Insurance Coverage
If the deceased had travel or life insurance with repatriation coverage, some costs may be reduced. However, it's important to carefully review the policy details to understand exactly what is and isn't covered.
Repatriation Fundraising
In cases of death abroad you may not be prepared financially to take on body repatriation, and sometimes costs can not be cut down for several reasons, so in this case you can opt for a fundraising. Family, friends, and the community can help financially support the family during this time of grief.
If you have lost a family member abroad, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We will explain the next steps and assist you in navigating the repatriation process. Contact us at info@funero.co.uk for compassionate and professional assistance.