Our Away-From-Home Protection Plan

When a loved one dies, you’re faced with the responsibility of arranging the cremation. So imagine how much more overwhelming that responsibility would be if the death occurs in another state. Worse still, thousands of miles away in another country. What would you or your family do? Who could help? Crucially, could you or your family afford to bring home the body?

Repatriating back to the US is expensive and stressful

Repatriating a body can cost between $10,000 and $20,000; bringing back cremated remains is cheaper but can still set you back between $4,000 and $8,000. What’s more, the whole process of repatriation can take several weeks and it involves a lot of paperwork and bureaucracy.

Remember, the Bureau of Consular Affairs will help families mediate with the local authorities but it will not help financially – it has no funds to assist in returning the remains or ashes of U.S. citizens who die abroad.

The deceased’s wishes are not always possible

The cost of repatriating a body is too much for most people, which is why the majority of those who die abroad are cremated in the country of death and only their ashes are returned home. That can be distressing, especially if the deceased wanted to be buried or the family wants the funeral to take place near home.

Watch a short video about this service