Repatriation to Another Country
When someone dies in New Zealand who is to be
repatriated to another country for burial or cremation, contact
your FDANZ funeral director for assistance. In addition to the
normal processes that are involved in a funeral, there are other
requirements which must be fulfilled to meet the regulations of the
country receiving the body, and also the airline which will carry
the deceased.
In general terms, you will require a death certificate, evidence
that the body does not have a notifiable disease, a certificate of
embalming, and the necessary export and import clearance for New
Zealand and the country of destination. It is also a requirement
that the casket be hermetically sealed. These requirements vary
from country to country and your FDANZ funeral director should be
able to inform you of the requirements specific to your situation,
and carry them out so the repatriation runs smoothly.
When the deceased is to be sent to another country the following
questions might need to be considered;
- Will a funeral service be held in New Zealand prior to
departure?
- Who will look after the arrangements in the other country?
- Are there family that wish to travel on the same flight as the
casket?
When sending ashes to another country, you do have the option of
taking them yourself as a carry-on item, if you have the correct
documentation. If you wish to send them by post or courier, sending
from one funeral director to another is the recommended method. New
Zealand Post will not accept ashes from the general public. Again,
contact your local FDANZ funeral director for assistance.