Repatriation
Getting your loved one home
Registered Importer/Exporter
If a loved one passes away abroad, repatriation might be the first thing that needs to be done as the family often want the Deceased to be buried in their homeland. Repatriation of the mortal remains is not the only option available to the family of the Deceased and there are also varying repatriation costs involved. A full repatriation of the Deceased body incurs the most repatriation costs. The family also has the option of cremation and the return of the ashes to South Africa or a local burial.
Sonja Smith Elite Funeral Group is a registered Importer/Exporter and authorised to repatriate human remains. If the funeral is to take place abroad, or if your loved one passed away in another country, simply contact us and we can make all the necessary arrangements for you.
Repatriation and Alternative Options
The repatriation of the Deceased has to happen under strict conditions, although we will see to all of these arrangements and ensure your loved one gets home as fast as possible, knowing what has to happen can bring a measure of comfort.
Return of mortal remains to South Africa
If your loved one was travelling, we can help you find out if their travel insurance covers their death. If you want your loved one buried in their homeland, we can assist with those arrangements too.
- Non-infectious mortal remains:
- The body must be embalmed. This must take place within 24 hours. Not all countries have embalming facilities;
- The body must be sealed in an airtight container and placed in a sturdy non-transparent coffin;
- The import permit must be obtained prior to transportation.
- Infectious mortal remains:
- The body must be placed in a polythene bag;
- The body must be placed in a second polythene bag;
- The body must then be sealed in an airtight container and placed in a sturdy non-transparent coffin;
- Under no circumstances may the coffin be opened;
- A written statement from the medical practitioner that the body will not constitute a danger to public health and that the body is screened off according to regulation no R2438 of 30 October 1987, paragraphs 9 and 10 (Conveyance of bodies of persons who have died of communicable diseases) must accompany the body at all times, together with the death certificate; and
- The import permit must be obtained prior to transportation.
- A letter from the family containing the name of the deceased; date of death; country of death; cause of death; place of burial; telephone/fax numbers, area code, name, address, and contact details of the funeral director abroad.
- Embalming certificate (if not possible due to religious reasons this must be stated);
- Certificate of non-epidemic area, some countries require an Expert Permit.
- Letter from attending pathologist or medical doctor to state that the deceased did not suffer from an infectious disease at the time of death; OR
- If the deceased did suffer from an infectious disease, a letter from the medical practitioner indicating that the transportation will not constitute a danger to public health.
- All documents not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
When all the requirements are met the Department of Health issues an Import Permit which accompanies the mortal remains to South Africa.
Cremation and the return of the ashes
to South Africa
If a loved one passes away abroad, the family could arrange that the Deceased be cremated, and their ashes brought back. Sonja Smith Elite Funeral Group will assist you in making these arrangements with the undertaker in the foreign country that can render this service.
Ashes are dealt with according to the local customs of the foreign country. No importation permits are needed to return ashes to South Africa.
Local burial
The next of kin can opt for burial in the foreign country. The undertaker in the foreign country can render this service. The exact location of the grave will be provided to the next of kin.
Pauper’s burial
If the next of kin cannot be traced or if they do not have the financial means to consider any of the above options a pauper’s burial can be requested. The local authorities will then take the mortal remains of the Deceased and deal with the mortal remains according to local legislation. The exact location of the grave, if buried, will be provided to the next of kin.
Sonja Smith Elite Funeral Group can Assist in Whatever Choice You Make
When a loved one passes away abroad, we will support you in repatriating their mortal remains or make arrangements to have them cremated or buried abroad. We also assist foreigners whose family members passed away in South Africa to treat the Deceased respectfully, repatriate them to their homeland, or cremate or bury the mortal remains in South Africa if that is what they wish.
