When a loved one dies abroad, family members face not only grief but also complex bureaucratic processes. One of the most critical questions that arise at such moments is how long all the procedures will take and when we will be able to bring our loved one's remains back home. Unfortunately, post-mortem examinations can significantly prolong this process.
Each country has its own legal system and medical protocols, so timelines can vary greatly. Sometimes, what takes a few days in one country can drag on for weeks or even months in another.
Why post-mortem examinations are necessary
Many countries require a post-mortem examination (autopsy), especially if the death occurred unexpectedly, due to an accident, or unclear reasons. This is not just a formality – investigations help determine the exact cause of death, which is important both from a legal standpoint and for resolving insurance issues.
When a Lithuanian dies abroad, local institutions follow the laws of their own country. If the police or medical staff believe that the circumstances of death are unclear, an autopsy cannot be avoided. This is especially relevant when a person dies:
- In a hotel room or another private space
- Due to sudden cardiac arrest death
- After a trauma or accident
- While consuming alcohol or medication
- Having had mental health problems
Even if the family knows that their loved one was ill and death was expected, foreign institutions may require additional examinations because they do not have access to the full medical history.
How long examinations take in different countries
Timelines closely depend on the country where the death occurred. Our experience shows that processes move fastest in Scandinavian countries and Germany – there, an autopsy is usually performed within 3–7 working days. However, even in these countries, if additional tests or expertise are needed, the process can take up to 2–3 weeks.
The situation in Southern Europe is more complex. In Italy, Spain, or Greece, post-mortem examinations can take 2–4 weeks, and during the summer, when many specialists go on vacation, the timelines extend even further. The situation is particularly difficult on Greek islands – there, one sometimes has to wait for a specialist to arrive from the mainland.
In the US and Canada, timelines depend on the specific state or province. In large cities, where there are more specialists, the process can take 1–2 weeks. However, in smaller towns or rural areas, one may have to wait for up to a month.
The process takes especially long in exotic countries. In Thailand, the Philippines, or India, post-mortem examinations can drag on for 1–3 months because there is a shortage of qualified specialists there, and bureaucratic processes are extremely complex.
What factors impact the duration of examinations
It is not always possible to accurately predict how long the examinations will take. A few main factors that impact the timelines:
Circumstances of death If death occurred due to clear reasons (for example, a heart attack) and the deceased's medical history is known, the examinations will be faster. However, if the circumstances are somewhat strange or there are suspicions of a crime, the process can drag on for months.
Additional laboratory testing Sometimes it is necessary to perform toxicological tests, histological analysis, or other specialized tests. This can add another 2–4 weeks to the overall timeline.
Holiday periods During Christmas, Easter, or national holidays, many institutions do not operate, so the process stops. This will especially impact countries where there are long holiday periods.
Legal proceedings If a legal investigation is initiated, the release of the remains may be delayed until all evidence is gathered. In such cases, the wait is not for months, but sometimes even years.
How to speed up the process
Contact the Lithuanian consulate immediately. Consulate staff know local procedures and can help coordinate actions with local institutions. They can also inform you about expected timelines and required documents.
Contact the Lithuanian consulate immediately. Consulate staff know local procedures and can help coordinate actions with local institutions. They can also inform you about expected timelines and required documents.
Gather medical information. If the deceased had chronic diseases or was treated in Lithuania, gather all medical documents and submit them translated to local institutions. This can help determine the cause of death faster.
Cooperate with local specialists. Sometimes family members, wanting to speed up the process, try to exert pressure or make demands. However, it is better to maintain a constructive dialogue and inquire regularly about the progress of the process.
Prepare documents in advance. While investigations are ongoing, you can start preparing other required documents – the death certificate, embalming certificate, and transport permits. This will save time once the investigations are completed.
Financial aspects and additional expenses
Post-mortem examinations not only prolong the timelines for transporting remains but also increase expenses. In many countries, an autopsy must be paid for separately, and the price can fluctuate from a few hundred to several thousand euros.
Additional expenses also occur due to the necessity of storing the remains in a mortuary for a longer time. In many countries, it is necessary to pay 50–150 euros for each additional day in the mortuary. Over a few weeks, this can amount to a significant sum.
It is also necessary to take into account that after an autopsy, additional embalming or other preservation procedures are often required, as transportation can take longer than planned.
Some insurers compensate these additional expenses, but not all. Before traveling abroad, it is worth checking whether your travel insurance will cover not only the primary transportation of remains but also potential additional expenses due to investigations.
Communication with family and relatives
One of the hardest aspects is explaining to family members why the process takes so long. People experiencing a loss often want to hold the funeral and begin the grieving process as quickly as possible. However, legal requirements are strict and cannot be ignored.
It is important to inform the family about the progress of the process regularly, even if the news is not good. It is better to say that investigations are still ongoing than to remain silent and let people speculate. It is also necessary to explain that delays are usually not due to negligence but due to objective reasons.
Sometimes family members want to travel abroad themselves and "solve matters on-site". However, this often does not help and only causes additional expenses. It is better to rely on professional repatriation specialists who know local procedures and have contacts with the required institutions.
When to expect the transportation of remains
When planning timelines for the transportation of remains realistically, it is necessary to take into account not only the duration of post-mortem examinations but also the entire document preparation process. Even when investigations are completed, it is still necessary to obtain the death certificate, perform embalming, prepare transport documents, and coordinate flights.
Our experience shows that, on average, the entire process takes:
- In EU countries: 1–3 weeks
- In the US, Canada: 2–4 weeks
- In Asian countries: 3–8 weeks
- In African, South American countries: 4–12 weeks
These timelines are guidelines and can change depending on specific circumstances. In complex cases where a legal investigation takes place, the process can take half a year or even longer.
What to do so that the loss does not become an even heavier burden
Post-mortem examinations are an inevitable part of many processes of transporting remains. Although we cannot affect their duration, we can prepare and know what to expect.
The most important thing is not to lose patience and to rely on specialists. Each country has its own rules, and it needs to be respected, even if it seems illogical or too slow. Attempts to "bypass the system" often only prolong the process even further.
If your loved one died abroad and post-mortem examinations need to be performed, be prepared that the process can take longer than you expected. However, remember – this is temporary, and ultimately you will be able to say goodbye to your loved one with dignity in Lithuania, surrounded by family and friends.
In such difficult moments, professional help and clear communication are the most important. Reliable repatriation specialists will not only take care of all procedures but will also help you cope with this complex process, providing the required information and emotional support.
