A sudden death (or fatality) of a loved one abroad is not only a major source of stress and grief, but also a financially demanding event for the relatives remaining in the home country. This is especially the case when the deceased did not have travel insurance when departing for a foreign country, and the relatives are required to arrange the transportation of the deceased’s remains or ashes back to Lithuania on their own.
Relatives must make many important decisions, including whether to repatriate the deceased’s remains or arrange cremation, how to transport the coffin or urn, which documents need to be prepared, how to prepare the documentation in order to obtain state support for repatriation, and many other related decisions.
Cremation and repatriation of ashes from abroad: what to consider?
Traditional burial in cemeteries remains popular, especially among older people living in rural areas who follow long-standing traditions and customs. Cremation is often not chosen simply because relatives do not even consider it as an option.
If your loved one has died abroad and you are considering what to do, these insights on cremation and the repatriation of ashes from abroad may help you make your final decision.
We also recommend not relying solely on written information, but contacting us by phone to discuss your individual situation and expectations.
The wishes expressed by the deceased before death
While still alive, individuals have the opportunity to express their wishes regarding how their body should be handled after death. Some consent to the use of their body for scientific purposes or become organ donors, while others state in a will or communicate to their relatives their preference to be buried, cremated, or otherwise specify their wishes.
In many countries abroad, cremation is common, and it is also popular to scatter or bury the ashes in a location chosen by the deceased – for example, scattering them at sea or in a lake, burying the urn in a place of personal significance, or even turning the ashes into a diamond. However, in Lithuania, strict regulations apply to cremated remains and their burial. An urn with ashes may be buried in a grave or placed in a columbarium, and ashes may also be scattered in cemeteries in a designated area specifically intended for this purpose.
Unfortunately, as of today, such designated areas in cemeteries have not been established.
An expressed clear wish of the deceased to be cremated (or not to be cremated) can ease decision-making for relatives; however, this may not always be feasible if the person wished to be buried in a traditional cemetery but died abroad from an infectious disease. Under international agreements, in cases of death caused by certain severe communicable infectious diseases, the transportation of human remains across national borders is prohibited. Therefore, the only way to repatriate the deceased and arrange burial in a cemetery is to cremate the body and transport the ashes in an urn.
Common reasons why individuals choose cremation are as follows:
- Reluctance to place additional burdens on relatives. For certain reasons, there may be no one within the family to take care of a grave or organize traditional and often costly funeral arrangements, so the deceased chooses for their urn to be placed in a columbarium.
- Simplicity and flexibility. Funeral ceremonies and arrangements are much simpler and allow the time to be chosen in a way that is convenient and gives relatives the opportunity to arrive in time for the funeral, even when living on the other side of the world.
- Desire to be buried in a shared family grave. An urn is small and its burial is not subject to such strict requirements as coffin burial, so it can fit into an already “full” grave.
This is only one of several reasons why the deceased may have chosen cremation. Whenever possible and within the limits of Lithuanian law, it is recommended to respect and fulfill even the verbal wishes of the deceased, as they represent his or her final request.
The following section reviews some of the advantages and disadvantages of cremation in cases where the deceased, due to sudden death or a fatal accident, had not expressed their wishes regarding the form of their final journey. These considerations may help relatives make a decision more easily.
Time
Cremation and the repatriation of an urn from abroad may take longer than the transportation of human remains, as efforts are usually made to choose the most economical method of transporting the urn. Since the special safety and sanitary requirements that apply to the transportation of human remains no longer apply to an urn containing ashes, the procedures themselves are significantly simpler and faster, as fewer permits are required.
The time required for the urn to be repatriated allows relatives to plan the funeral arrangements without unnecessary stress and to inform and gather close family members and friends, even from the most remote parts of the world. Lithuanian law stipulates that an urn containing ashes must be buried within three months of cremation. This provides sufficient time to transport the urn to Lithuania and prepare for the funeral without additional pressure.
Flexibility
Cremation and the repatriation of ashes from abroad simplify the overall process, making it possible to transport the urn more quickly and at lower cost, organize a simpler funeral ceremony in a columbarium, or choose a traditional funeral ceremony and bury the urn in a grave.
Cremation allows for several different burial options, makes it easier to choose a time for the ceremony that is suitable for all relatives, and provides an opportunity to prepare financially for the funeral arrangements. There is no need to make rushed decisions regarding the funeral. Cremation also gives relatives greater flexibility to create a completely unique farewell ceremony.
Cost of transporting an urn from abroad
Neither cremation itself nor the transportation of an urn from abroad is always a cheaper option than repatriating human remains in a coffin and arranging burial in a grave. Although cremation eliminates the need to pay for embalming, simplifies communication with foreign authorities, requires significantly fewer permits for cremation and urn transportation (which also means fewer administrative fees), and does not require specialized transport maintaining specific temperature and humidity conditions, in exceptional cases it may cost the same as or even more than the transportation of human remains.
The cost of transporting an urn from abroad is usually lower, provided there is no urgent need for repatriation, and in some cases it may cost nothing if municipal financial support for repatriation is granted. State support covers actual expenses up to EUR 2,160. In addition, the burial process itself is simpler, as it is possible to organize a more modest ceremony and place the urn in an existing family grave or columbarium.
The cost of transporting an urn from abroad depends on the method and urgency of transport, the requirements of the country where the death occurred, the price of the selected urn and cremation services, as well as other circumstances. In some countries, cremation services are very expensive, so in certain cases it may be more cost-effective to transport the deceased back from the foreign country and arrange cremation in Poland or Lithuania. Therefore, it is important to consult a company providing repatriation services in order to evaluate the most optimal option.
Sustainability and environmental concerns
More and more people are becoming concerned about environmental protection and seeking ways to contribute to the conservation of natural resources and land. Cremation is considered a “greener” and more environmentally friendly burial method, as it takes up less land space and involves the use of fewer chemicals compared to embalming the body.
Technologies used in cremation are improving, resulting in lower amounts of carbon dioxide being released into the environment during the process.
Beliefs and convictions
Unlike embalming, cremation is acceptable in many faiths. However, it is recommended to verify whether this practice is compatible with the deceased’s religion or beliefs.
Disadvantages
If cremation is chosen alongside full traditional funeral arrangements, it may cost more than a conventional burial of the remains.
If it is decided to bury the urn in a separate grave, the purchase of the burial plot and its maintenance will increase the overall costs.
How is an urn transported?
Transporting an urn across national borders is a much simpler and faster process than transporting human remains. If cremation is chosen, the deceased’s remains (ashes) are placed into an urn after cremation, and the urn is sealed.
Cremated remains placed in an urn can be transported without special requirements, both by road transport and by air.
Whom to contact for the transportation of an urn from abroad?
Our company, upon receiving an order, will help you quickly and at an affordable cost transport an urn from abroad. We will handle all bureaucratic formalities, arrange the necessary services in the foreign country (such as the urn, cremation, and others), cover all fees charged by foreign authorities, and resolve any issues that may arise.
We will help you select the most optimal route and method of transport for the repatriation of your loved one’s ashes.