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The Emotional Impact of Body Repatriation

Tom Hathaway • Mar 24, 2023

No matter how a death occurs, the aftermath is always a painful and traumatic experience for loved ones and friends. Strong feelings of grief can be overwhelming and the process is never easy. The process can be made even more strenuous if your loved one dies abroad and needs to be repatriated back to their home.

The process of body repatriation, which involves transporting a deceased person’s body back to their home country or to a place of their choosing, can be emotionally challenging for those involved, especially if the process had not been planned. The heavy weight of grief combined with uncertainty and the great distance can make the sense of loss all the stronger.

We are all too familiar with how the process of body repatriation can impact families and loved ones and how it can often be quite different to the grief experienced by someone whose relative is near. Different and unusual experiences can radically alter our emotions and our feelings and it is important to discuss them openly and honestly. This is why we’ve put together a list of common struggles people commonly have during body repatriation to help you understand and prepare for what to expect.

Grief: Grief is a natural emotional response to loss, and the process of body repatriation can intensify feelings of grief. Seeing the physical remains of a loved one can be difficult and emotional, and can trigger memories and feelings of sadness but they can also help make the process of grief easier to understand and cope with. Not knowing where the remains of their loved one is can be distressing for people and this can be amplified if other loved ones are still overseas. Depending on the circumstances, body repatriation can take a number of weeks, making those feelings last longer and potentially worsening.

Guilt: If the deceased person passed away while travelling or living abroad, family members can often experience feelings of guilt or regret for not being there to support them or prevent their death. These feelings can be amplified when repatriating the body. These feelings are natural but it is important to remember that their death was not your fault and coming to terms with that is an important part of the grieving process.

Stress and Anxiety: The logistics involved in repatriating a body can be stressful and anxiety-provoking, particularly when it comes to dealing with bureaucracy, paperwork, and transportation. This is why we try to make the process as simple and as straightforward as possible but even still, the necessary paperwork in a time of high stress and pain can be a lot to handle. Family members may also feel anxious about the condition of the body after transportation and any potential delays.

Cultural Differences: Cultural differences in funeral and mourning practices can add another layer of complexity and emotion to body repatriation. Family members may feel uncertain or uncomfortable with practices that are different from what they are used to, which can exacerbate feelings of grief and stress.

Closure: Repatriating a loved one’s body can provide a sense of closure for some family members, allowing them to say goodbye in a more tangible way. For others, it may not feel like enough or may not bring the sense of closure they were hoping for. Some people can also struggle to come to terms with their own grief before seeing the remains, drawing out the grieving process and leaving the person experiencing it in a state of flux, unable to fully move on.

Financial Strain: Body repatriation can also be a significant financial burden, which can add stress and anxiety to an already difficult situation. We will always try and find the best and most affordable solution but the cost of body repatriation is an unfortunate reality of saying goodbye. An unexpected bill at any time can be stressful but at a time of extreme pain and confusion, it can be extremely difficult to process.

Overall, the emotional impact of body repatriation can vary widely depending on the circumstances and the individuals involved. It’s important for family members to take care of themselves and seek support during this difficult time, whether through counselling, support groups, or leaning on family and friends.

It goes without saying that we will always be on hand to provide support and guidance throughout the entire body repatriation process to make sure the process is easy to understand and completed in as quickly a manner as possible. We are also committed to supporting you throughout the process and beyond. Body repatriation is often scary and confusing but we can help support you and your family, ensuring that you are supported in the right ways throughout the process.

What is body repatriation?

14 Dec, 2023
The loss of a loved one is never easy and the stress of arranging a fitting funeral can be incredibly difficult to deal with. This process can be made even more challenging when the loved one dies overseas. The death of a loved one overseas will often mean that the body will need to be brought home and this will require a process known as body repatriation. The following information is provided to explain the process clearly with information around how long it can take, why some people choose to arrange body repatriation and how much the service can typically cost. If you require any further information or assistance please get in contact with us and we will do our best to support you and clarify anything about the process. What is body repatriation? Repatriation is the return of individuals to their country of origin. This may be voluntary or involuntary, and it may occur for a variety of reasons. For instance, people may be repatriated because they have been forced to leave their country of origin due to conflict or persecution. They may also be repatriated as part of an amnesty program, or because they have been granted asylum in another country. Repatriation can be a difficult and traumatic experience, particularly if it is involuntary. Individuals may face a range of challenges upon their return, including reintegrating into their community, dealing with family members who may have stayed behind, and rebuilding their lives. Repatriation may also be done for religious or cultural reasons, or because the deceased person’s family wishes to bury them in their home country. Whatever the reason, body repatriation is deeply personal and can often be a complex and costly process, and in some regrettable circumstances, it may not always be possible to repatriate the body of a loved one who has died overseas. How long can body repatriation take? The process of body repatriation, or the return of a person’s remains to their home country, can take a significant amount of time. Depending on the circumstances, it can take weeks or even months for the body to be returned. In most circumstances, the body can be returned to the preferred location in around 10-15 days but this depends on a large number of factors. The first is the location of the death. If the death occurs in a remote area, it can take time to get the body to a city where it can be prepared for transport. The second is the country of origin. If the deceased is from a country that is far away, it can take longer to get the necessary paperwork and travel arrangements in order. Lastly, the wishes of the deceased’s family can also impact the timeline. If the family wants a traditional burial or cremation, this can add to the length of time it takes to repatriate the body . Overall, body repatriation can be a lengthy and complicated process. The length of time it takes can be a burden on the family and friends of the deceased, as they often have to wait a long time for closure. It is important to be aware of the potential timeframe if you are dealing with the death of a loved one who is overseas. The people organising the repatriation should be able to give you an idea of a timeline so it is always best to keep an open dialogue with them and it’s always best to ask the question. How much does body repatriation cost? Cost for body repatriation is widely variable depending on where the loved one needs to be repatriated from and to but the average cost is around £2,000-5,000 and what is included can differ depending on the level of service. Our fees are usually around £2,000-3,000 and this usually includes collection of the person who has passed away, mortuary care including full embalming with certification, appropriate sealing of the coffin in line with international regulations, a simple oak effect coffin suitable for international repatriation, transportation of the coffin to the departure airport, flight fee and arrangement of all required documentation and administrative responsibilities. The death of a loved one is always a painful time and we are here to help. If you require any further information or assistance please get in contact with us and we will do our best to support you and clarify anything about the process.

Repatriating A Body To India

By Blam Online • 30 Oct, 2023
The death of a loved one is often a time of great ritual and cultural importance; a chance to pay tribute and respect by honouring their chosen customs and beliefs. Throughout the world, there are a great number of different customs and rituals surrounding funerals and death and one place where death customs are of […] The post Repatriating A Body To India appeared first on Global Funeral Repatriation.

What NOT to do when someone dies abroad

By Blam Online • 29 Sep, 2023
The death of a loved one is a difficult and stressful time. This is made even more unnerving if your loved one died abroad. There are many things you should do in order to handle the necessary arrangements but there are also a myriad of things to avoid doing. When someone dies abroad, it’s important […] The post What NOT to do when someone dies abroad appeared first on Global Funeral Repatriation.

What to do when someone dies abroad

By Tom Hathaway • 10 May, 2023
The death of a loved one is a difficult time for anyone, but when that death occurs in a foreign country, it can be even more complicated. There are a few things that you will need to do in order to make arrangements for the repatriation of the deceased. If you’re abroad together If you’re […] The post What to do when someone dies abroad appeared first on Global Funeral Repatriation.

Honoring Cultural and Religious Customs During Repatriation

By Tom Hathaway • 10 May, 2023
The death of a loved one is a difficult time for any family, and when that loved one dies while away from home, it can add even more stress to an already emotional situation. Repatriation, or the process of returning a person’s body to their home country for burial or cremation, is a common practice […] The post Honoring Cultural and Religious Customs During Repatriation appeared first on Global Funeral Repatriation.

What is body repatriation?

By Tom Hathaway • 25 Jan, 2023
The loss of a loved one is never easy and the stress of arranging a fitting funeral can be incredibly difficult to deal with. This process can be made even more challenging when the loved one dies overseas. The death of a loved one overseas will often mean that the body will need to be […] The post What is body repatriation? appeared first on Global Funeral Repatriation.
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