Who pays for bringing a body home from abroad

Where to start

In the first hours after the news of a death, hardly anyone thinks about money. Then the question becomes urgent: the morgue is waiting for a decision, the funeral home names an amount, and relatives ask on the phone how much is needed. Here is an order that will help you not to lose money you are entitled to.

1. Insurance. Find the policy and tell the funeral home about it on the first call. The transport has to be agreed with the insurer.
2. The employer or the agency. Ask whether there is insurance for employees or help for the family.
3. The social services of the country where the person died. Find out whether a funeral allowance is paid there.
4. The funeral allowance in Ukraine. It needs a certificate that the consul issues.
5. Family, friends, community. They cover what the other sources did not.

How much the transport costs from your country is in the article “How much it costs to bring a body home to Ukraine from abroad”. Or call us, and we will give you the price during the call.

2. The employer or agency

If the person worked abroad, call the employer or the agency through which the job was arranged. Ask three direct questions:

• whether the person had insurance through work, and with which company;
• whether the company offers any help to the family if an employee dies;
• whether they can issue the documents needed for the insurer or for social benefits.

There is no single rule here: some companies pay nothing, others cover part of the costs. But asking costs nothing, and the answer can change the amount the family pays. Ask for the answer in writing, by letter or message.

3. The social services of the country where the person died

If the person was officially employed and paid social contributions in the country where they died, ask the local social service or insurance fund whether a funeral allowance is paid there. The conditions, the amounts and the deadlines for applying differ from country to country. Keep the invoices: they show who paid and how much.

We will tell you where to apply in a specific country. There is more on each country on the country pages, in the “Countries” section.

4. The funeral allowance in Ukraine

Ukraine has a state funeral allowance. When the death happened abroad, you will need a certificate from the consul. When the consul registers the death, the consul issues a certificate for the social protection authorities, and the family uses it to receive the funeral allowance.

The consulate registers the death of a Ukrainian citizen abroad and issues the first death certificate without a consular fee. Relatives, the hospital, the local authorities or other persons can apply. Confirm the amount of the allowance and how it is paid at the office where you will submit the documents. The role of the consulate is explained in the article “The Ukrainian consulate when someone dies abroad”.

So the consulate helps with the documents, while the family orders the transport from us, either directly or through the insurer. What to arrange at home after the return, including for the funeral allowance, is in the article “Documents after a death abroad: what to arrange in Ukraine”.

5. Family, friends, community

If the other sources do not cover the whole amount, the family pays the rest. Friends, colleagues, the parish and the community of a village or town often help. So that people are more willing to contribute, ask the funeral home for a written estimate: the amount, what it includes and the payment details. People trust a document more than the words “we need this much”.

When the fundraising is over, tell those who helped how much was raised and what the money was spent on. It is a small thing, but it keeps trust between people.