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What To Do When Death Occurs Away From Home.

Death in the U.S.

Even if you believe your traveling companion is already dead, it is a good idea to call 911 or the operator. Or ask the management of the place where you are staying or dining to call emergency personnel. An unexpected death will likely mean the involvement of a medical examiner or coroner to investigate the cause of death. Consequently, this may delay for several days any arrangements for body disposition, time you may appreciate.

Once death has been pronounced, you will need to notify close relatives, even if the hour is late when you call. Studies show that most will feel left-out if they are not told right away, so don't feel you have to wait until morning unless there are special circumstances. Those calls — including calls to clergy — may provide needed support for you, too. Be sure to give a phone number where you can be reached later.

Unless there is a reason to have services with the body present in the area where death occurred (a summer cottage, perhaps, where there are established friends), you will usually save money by working through the home-town funeral director if the body is to be shipped back home. Check Death in One State, Burial in Another.

If cremation is the chosen method of disposition — without any services prior to cremation — there are several ways to locate an affordable company right there. As a member of one of the FCA affiliates, the deceased would be entitled to the discount offered to local members. Call the local affiliate to see what services are available.

If you have trouble locating the emergency or provider number or you're in an area where there is no society, check with the FCA office. Although the phone is not always staffed after business hours Eastcoast time, it is answered much of the time anyway, and voice-mail is checked regularly. We do have the names of low-cost providers in some non-affiliate areas who are happy to work with our members.

Medical Emergencies Outside the U.S.

You can obtain a free directory and medical card for English-speaking physicians worldwide by sending a request to IAMAT, 417 Center St., Lewiston, NY 14092; phone 716-754-4883. They list only doctors who meet U.S. and Canadian standards. This is a nonprofit organization; a donation of $10 is suggested. U.S. Embassies and Consulates also maintain lists of medical personnel. If you are a Medicare beneficiary and are traveling outside the United States and its territories (including Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands), and need medical services, you should be aware of the following: Generally, Medicare does not pay for hospital or medical services outside the United States. For specific information regarding exceptions, call your Medicare office before planning your trip.

You may want to buy special short-term insurance for foreign travel. If you have other health insurance in addition to Medicare, check to see if healthcare in a foreign country is covered. Medicare will pay for care in qualified Canadian or Mexican hospitals if you are in the U.S. when an emergency occurs (or traveling between Alaska and another state) and a Canadian or Mexican hospital is closer to or substantially more accessible than the nearest U.S. hospital.

Death Outside the U.S.

When a U.S. citizen dies abroad, making arrangements for disposition can become very involved and expensive. The Department of State makes several suggestions:

1. Call the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before calling the family. A cablegram is sent from the overseas post directly to the next-of-kin with official notification of the death and an outline of options available, along with costs.
   
   
2. Be certain that the name of a person to be contacted in the event of an emergency is included in your passport.
   
   
3. Your preference for body disposition should also be attached to your passport.
   
   
4. If needed, money should be wired to the Department of State which will then wire it on to the Embassy; there is a $20 processing fee. Working through the banks takes too long. The Department of State can be reached at 202-647-5225 or 202-647-4000 after 10 p.m. est. Website: http://travel.state.gov/money.html Decisions for disposition must be made immediately and the information relayed to the Embassy. This can be done directly by the family or through the Citizens Emergency Center in the Department of State. The Overseas Citizens Services operates on a 24-hour basis and may be reached at 202-647-5226. There are no U.S. Government funds appropriated for the repatriation of a deceased U.S. citizen.

Options for Foreign Body Disposition

Local Burial. Although usually the least expensive option in some places, a few countries do not allow the burial of foreigners. The Consular Officer will be able to tell you.

Cremation. This option is available in most countries, although it may be prohibited in predominantly Catholic or Moslem countries. (It is now being done more often in Italy because of the limited cemetery space.) Some countries have only one crematory, causing greater cost and delay in returning the cremated remains.

Body donation. There is an urgent need of body donors in many countries. The Consular Officer should be able to assist with arrangements.

Return of an embalmed body to the U.S. Preparation and shipment are according to local laws, regulations, and customs. Embalming is not widely practiced in most foreign countries. There are other methods of preparation for shipment, but they will preclude viewing. (The body may be wrapped in a chemically-saturated shroud.) Charges for these services are high and vary widely from one location to another. After receipt of the necessary funds, there may be a 3 10-day interval until actual shipment. You will need to notify your funeral director in the U.S. who can assist with arrangements. Website: http://travel.state.gov/deathrep.html

IFFCAN The International Federation of Funeral Consumer Associations Nonprofit is an informal ad hoc group connected by the internet that aims to help those who are traveling in another country. It was started after a funeral consumer group began in France and contacted the FCA office. There is a beginning interest in several other European countries, too. If you will be traveling in France, check this link to the French organization to get contact information before you leave: Association Francaise d'Information Funeraire.

Bereavement Airfares

Bereavement airfares are available for both domestic and international travel. They are NOT always the least expensive seats, however. Check for the lowest available fares before asking if there are bereavement seats available. Only certain classes of seats are marked for the bereavement discount.