Dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one while they are travelling or living abroad can be incredibly overwhelming. While it is not always possible, having a plan in place can make a difficult situation more manageable. If the unexpected does happen, having the right numbers to hand can provide some reassurance in what can be a confusing and impossible to navigate time.
Here are the essential steps to take if a loved one passes away while travelling, the importance of being prepared, and the emergency contacts and resources you should have on hand.
Steps to Take if a Loved One Passes Away Abroad
If your loved one passes away while travelling or living abroad, local authorities and funeral providers will need to be contacted and notified. This responsibility typically lands at one person’s feet and while this makes communication easier and ensures wires aren’t crossed, this can also be an incredibly difficult and traumatic experience. It’s important that you also take time to grieve, are given space to be with yourself or loved ones and know that you are doing the best that you can.
- Contact Local Authorities
- Immediately notify the local police or medical personnel to officially declare the death. This is essential for obtaining a death certificate, which will be needed for all subsequent steps. Local authorities should also be able to provide you with contact information for local embassies or consulates that organise travel and navigate the legal requirements..
- Reach Out to the Nearest Embassy or Consulate
- The local embassy or consulate can assist with legal requirements and provide guidance on navigating local customs and laws. They can also help notify the appropriate authorities back home.
- They can assist in obtaining the necessary documents for repatriation, such as a death certificate, embalming certificate, and a certificate of freedom from infection if required.
- Contact a Repatriation Service Provider
- A professional repatriation service can handle the logistics of transporting the deceased back home. They will coordinate with local authorities and funeral directors to ensure all legal and logistical requirements are met. We are available 24/7 365 days a year on 0330 175 7517 if you ever need us.
- Notify Insurance Providers
- If the deceased had travel insurance, contact the provider as soon as possible. Insurance can cover various costs associated with repatriation and funeral arrangements and repatriation cover comes as standard in most major plans. Under some plans, there may be a listed provider that you may need to use so read through all policies thoroughly.
- Prepare Required Documentation
- Collect and prepare all necessary documents, including the death certificate, passport of the deceased, and any other relevant paperwork. Translation of these documents might be required depending on the country.
- Consult with the repatriation service and the embassy for a complete list of required documents.
Importance of Having a Plan in Place
It’s not a conversation or eventuality that you want to plan for but if the unthinkable should occur, a repatriation plan or travel insurance can help to provide some form of relief for the unbearable pressure of grief and stress. Also, for those living abroad, this is an important thing to consider as it makes your desires known as well as offering your loved ones some comfort and understanding of what you want if you should unexpectedly pass.
A prearranged plan also helps to ensure that critical steps are not overlooked. This includes having all necessary documents and contacts readily available, which can significantly expedite the process of repatriation and funeral arrangements. These documents will be handled via the embassy and funeral repatriation company but having key identifiers quickly to hand and with a trusted friend or loved one can make the process smoother.
Understanding the potential costs and having financial arrangements in place can prevent unexpected expenses from becoming an additional burden. This includes having adequate insurance coverage and understanding what is covered under the policy.
Emergency Contacts and Resources to Keep on Hand
- Local Embassy or Consulate Contacts
- Keep a list of contact information for local embassies or consulates in the countries the traveller is visiting. This information is critical for immediate assistance and guidance. The government provides a useful list of bereavement packs here that are regularly updated and covered every destination abroad: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/death-abroad-bereavement-packs
- Insurance Information
- If the person travelling has insurance, ensure that travel insurance policy numbers, emergency contact numbers, and coverage details are easily accessible and that someone at home has a copy of the plan.
- Repatriation Service Providers
- It’s helpful to research and choose a provider beforehand so that immediate arrangements can be made if needed. Make sure that their information is to-hand.
- Legal Documents and Medical Information
- Keep copies of important legal documents, such as the traveller’s will, power of attorney, and medical information. Having these documents on hand can facilitate decision-making and legal processes.
- Family and Friends Contact List
- Ensure that a list of key family members and friends is readily available for immediate notification and support. Designate a point person who can coordinate communication and decisions on behalf of the family.
- Tell Us Once
- Tell Us Once is the governmental service used to alert most government agencies to a death. This service can also be used for those who die when travelling abroad and can help make a lot of the post-death processes a lot easier and remove some of the paperwork and phone calls needed. https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once
By following these steps, being prepared, and having the necessary resources on hand, you can navigate the challenging situation of an unexpected loss abroad with greater ease and clarity. For further information or support with a death abroad, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. We are available 24/7 to support with unexpected deaths all over the world.
