Funeral planning essential for Diaspora

Dealing with the death of a loved one abroad adds complexity and expense to an already painful situation. Charles Waciuma offers guidance on minimizing both the emotional and financial tolls associated with repatriation.

Death, indifferent to time and location, is an inevitable part of life. In a world witnessing a surge in expatriates, the number of individuals dying abroad is on the rise. Over half a million Kenyan passport holders live outside their homeland, with hundreds passing away each year.

Repatriation, the process of returning mortal remains to the home country, is a task undertaken by the bereaved relatives and friends. However, this endeavor is laden with both cultural and legal intricacies that vary widely across different countries. Considerations such as embalming practices, burial traditions, and transportation regulations add layers of complexity to an already challenging situation.

Embalming, a common practice in the United States, is regulated differently across the globe. For instance, in France, transportation of a body requires police authorization and the mayor’s approval, with mandatory embalming after 24 hours. In Islamic countries, swift burial without embalming is customary. These differences highlight the need for a standardized approach, prompting efforts within the European Union to harmonize laws related to cross-border transportation of bodies.

Charles Waciuma emphasizes the importance of securing insurance coverage when faced with bureaucratic hurdles abroad, as financial resources often expedite the repatriation process. International laws and regulations further complicate matters, such as the prohibition of lead-lined coffins due to anti-terrorism measures.

The cost of repatriation involves various factors, including body weight, location of death, and mode of transport. Estimates for moving a body from the US to Kenya range between $6,000 and $10,000. Additionally, expenses such as paperwork, medical fees, and embalming or autopsy charges contribute to the overall cost. The burial or cremation in the country of final rest adds an additional layer of expenditure.

Understanding the documentation requirements is crucial, including death and embalming certificates, ‘no objection’ certificates, and sealing of the coffin certificates. Police involvement, often triggered by unnatural causes of death, introduces further complexities, potentially delaying repatriation by several days to months.

International assistance companies and funeral directors play essential roles in navigating these challenges. Insurance coverage, typically included in travel or international private medical insurance policies, aids in covering reasonable expenses associated with repatriation. However, policies may have limitations, particularly regarding pre-existing medical conditions.

Considering a pre-paid funeral plan is an alternative approach, with options covering repatriation to any destination worldwide. Unlike insurance policies, pre-paid funeral plans require upfront payments and may extend to cover burial or cremation in the destination of choice.

In conclusion, Charles Waciuma advises individuals to approach the topic of death abroad with careful consideration, emphasizing the importance of financial preparedness, comprehensive insurance coverage, and awareness of cultural and legal variations to ease the burden on grieving families.