What to do if a loved one dies abroad

The death of a loved one abroad is one of the most challenging situations in life. In addition to the pain of loss, there are also a number of practical questions. Who to contact, how to proceed or how to ensure the return of the deceased to the Czech Republic. Although the situation may seem confusing, there are clearly defined procedures. In this article, we will explain the entire repatriation process to you and advise you on what to think about.

You don’t have to be alone in a difficult situation.

At the PEGAS funeral service, we sometimes encounter situations where a death occurs, for example, during a vacation or during a work trip. Most often, these are countries such as Croatia, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Austria, Germany or Slovakia. Outside Europe, we most often encounter repatriations from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Egypt or Tunisia.

Although every situation is different, repatriation has its own clear procedure and most of the organizational and administrative steps can be entrusted to experts.

First steps after a death abroad

The repatriation procedure depends primarily on whether the deceased had travel insurance.

If the deceased had travel insurance

Travel insurance plays a crucial role. It can cover the costs of transporting the deceased or the urn to the Czech Republic and at the same time significantly facilitate the organization.

The first contact is usually the insurance company’s assistance service. It communicates with the authorities, the embassy and the funeral service, helps to secure the necessary documents and, together with the family, decides on further action according to the terms of the insurance contract.

If travel insurance has not been arranged

If insurance has not been arranged, it is advisable to contact a funeral service that specializes in repatriation as soon as possible. They will guide the family through the entire process, explain the individual options and take over the organization of the repatriation.

They will usually request basic information about the deceased, copies of necessary documents, a power of attorney to negotiate and then agree on further steps with the family. In this case, the costs of repatriation are covered by the survivors.

Who will help you in this situation?

Repatriation usually involves several entities, each with a different role.

Insurance company assistance service

If travel insurance has been arranged, it coordinates further procedures, communicates with authorities and helps to secure the necessary documentation.

Funeral service

The PEGAS funeral service takes care of most of the organizational and administrative steps. The family usually provides basic information about the deceased, the relationship and the necessary documents. They then decide whether they wish to transport the body or the urn and sign the necessary powers of attorney.

In most cases, they no longer have to communicate with foreign authorities or deal with complex administration.

Embassy or consulate

The embassy or consulate plays a mainly supportive and coordinating role. It provides information to the bereaved, can help mediate communication with local authorities or recommend a funeral service. In some cases, it will also arrange for the issuance of a replacement travel document.

However, the embassy or consulate does not provide repatriation itself.

What are your options?

The family has several options for how to handle repatriation. The final decision depends on the circumstances of the death, the wishes of the family and insurance.

The most common option is to transport the deceased back to the Czech Republic. If the family does not wish to transport the body, cremation can be arranged in the country of death and then the urn can be transported. In both cases, it is necessary to provide the appropriate documentation. It is also advisable to take into account any wishes of the deceased regarding the final farewell.

Each country has its own legislation and administrative procedures, so the specific solution is always adapted to the given situation.

What to watch out for?

In a difficult life situation and when acting under pressure, mistakes can occur that complicate or prolong the entire process.

The most important thing is therefore to first obtain information from the insurance company’s assistance service or from a funeral service specializing in repatriation. Only then should it be appropriate to decide on the next step.

We especially recommend:

• not to take the deceased’s personal documents back to the Czech Republic,
• not to sign documents in a foreign language if you do not understand their content,
• not to order transportation before checking travel insurance options,
• not to be pressured into making an immediate decision.

One of the most common mistakes is taking the deceased’s passport or ID card back to the Czech Republic. If this happens, the documents must be sent back to the country where the death occurred, which can prolong repatriation.

We also encounter cases where the local funeral service has the family sign documents or order services that they do not fully understand due to the language barrier.

It is advisable to keep all documents and e-mail communications, act calmly and thoughtfully, and contact experts as soon as possible.

How long will repatriation take?

The exact date cannot be determined in advance. The length of repatriation is affected by the issuance of necessary documents, the procedure of local authorities or the police investigation. In some situations, it is therefore necessary to wait for permission or the completion of further procedures.

What if we don’t know the foreign language?

Even the language barrier does not have to be an obstacle. Communication with foreign authorities, hospitals or funeral services is handled by experts who coordinate the entire process.

“Bereaved families are often reassured by the mere knowledge that they are not alone in the situation. They know that we will help them ensure the entire process, including communication with the authorities. Repatriation is governed by clear rules and although it cannot be completed in a few hours, we always try to ensure that it takes place as soon as possible.”

Jana Ludvíková |ceremony coordinator specializing in repatriations

Repatriation is not just the transportation of the deceased

Many people think of repatriation as simply transporting the deceased back to the Czech Republic. In reality, it is a much broader process.

Repatriation involves communication with foreign funeral services, local authorities, securing the necessary documentation, coordinating transportation, and supporting the bereaved in difficult life situations.

PEGAS Funeral Service can take over most of the organizational and administrative responsibilities. It ensures communication with foreign partners, necessary permits, documentation, transporting the deceased by car or plane, and also cooperates with insurance companies. If the family wishes, it will also help with organizing the final farewell after the deceased returns to the Czech Republic.

What will happen next?

The time after the death of a loved one abroad can be very difficult. But if you know who to turn to, you don’t have to deal with the whole situation alone.

In the following article How is the repatriation of a deceased person from abroad carried out, we will explain the entire process in detail step by step, from securing documents to transporting them by car or plane back to the Czech Republic.