Bringing back body of deceased without using a firm

Mands

NotArobot24 said:

elsien said:

The mention of ice is the final straw with taking this entirely seriously. 

I only mentioned ice because the body is going to travel across EU, probably two countries, it is currently frozen or chilled at morgue.

I thought ice might help keep the body cold and if there is a prolonged delay/dispute at the border then one would want to keep things cold to avoid smells surely.

I am not aware if specific countries have been declared but I believe France has been mentioned, so let's start there. 

It is illegal to transport a dead body in France other than in a vehicle specially equipped and reserved exclusively for human remains. 

No reputable funeral director or morgue is going to release a body to a private individual without an understanding of how it will be transported legally. In addition to the translated death certificate there is also a requirement for a separate certificate of transportation. A death certificate just shows this is the corpse of the deceased, not that a person has the right to move it. 

It's pretty much academic at this point but, still, the border authorities wouldn't just wave the body through "cos they don't have somewhere cold to keep it". Some ports and airports have morgues, others have standing arrangements with hospitals, all have the phone number of the local coroner. 

You are talking about transporting a biohazard for many hours (several days?) across multiple international borders and hoping that no one will notice or, if they do, they'll send you on your way because it's a bit too tricky for them to deal with. This is not going to happen. What you are proposing is illegal, on multiple counts. A bag of party ice doesn't change any of that. 

sheramber

NotArobot24 said:

elsien said:

The mention of ice is the final straw with taking this entirely seriously. 

I only mentioned ice because the body is going to travel across EU, probably two countries, it is currently frozen or chilled at morgue.

I thought ice might help keep the body cold and if there is a prolonged delay/dispute at the border then one would want to keep things cold to avoid smells surely.

What about the ice melting? Where would all the resulting  water go? 

JGB1955

Only loosely related, but, this brings back memories of the saga of the dead dog and the Tesco Bag for Life....

tooldle

NotArobot24 said:

tooldle said:

The cost of repatriation and funeral, is an expense for the estate to cover. Does you deceased relative have the funds? If not, why not

Nobody has funds, why do any people not have funds, what a bizarre question 

I gather some might be able to ask .Gov for money but I am not clear if this is a loan, whether it is made on the finances of the family member organising it or the whole family or the deceased.

Not sure whether the Estate is a factor or even if the Estate has any value, I gather there are debts but I am not sure if they are time limited.

Not a bizarre question at all. You have a relative who has passed away in the EU whilst on holiday, or on business or, being resident. The individual has a strong set of wishes as to what should happen to them after their death. Unfortunately it seems they did not care to prepare for these wishes to be carried out, either by taking out insurance or by putting aside funds to cover the appropriate costs. If you / the family do not have funds there will have to be a compromise somewhere. 

strawb_shortcake

tooldle said:

NotArobot24 said:

tooldle said:

The cost of repatriation and funeral, is an expense for the estate to cover. Does you deceased relative have the funds? If not, why not

Nobody has funds, why do any people not have funds, what a bizarre question 

I gather some might be able to ask .Gov for money but I am not clear if this is a loan, whether it is made on the finances of the family member organising it or the whole family or the deceased.

Not sure whether the Estate is a factor or even if the Estate has any value, I gather there are debts but I am not sure if they are time limited.

Not a bizarre question at all. You have a relative who has passed away in the EU whilst on holiday, or on business or, being resident. The individual has a strong set of wishes as to what should happen to them after their death. Unfortunately it seems they did not care to prepare for these wishes to be carried out, either by taking out insurance or by putting aside funds to cover the appropriate costs. If you / the family do not have funds there will have to be a compromise somewhere. 

I agree, in death as in life we don't always get what we want. 
The deceased may have wanted to return to the UK after their demise, but failed to put adequate provision in place for this without causing financial hardship or possible criminal charges against their loved ones. 

Whilst admirable you want to respect their last wishes, do what's affordable and legal, you'll all probably sleep better for it. 

Grumpelstiltskin

JGB1955 said:

Only loosely related, but, this brings back memories of the saga of the dead dog and the Tesco Bag for Life....

We don't get threads like that these days, if the OP keeps us informed of their travels you never know.

silvercar

GDB2222 said:

Undoubtedly, by far the cheapest way to deal with this is to sit gran's body up in the back seat of the car, strapped in with a safety belt. When customs ask about her, say "shhh don't wake her". Do you at least have an up to date passport for her?

That's been tried and failed. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8604663.stm

Savvy_Sue

I have memories of an item on Radio 4, possibly on Saturday Live, but so many years ago ... of a lady who took her mum's body on a road trip around the UK in a camper van, visiting mum's favourite spots.

I believe she checked beforehand and was breaking no laws. A coffin was involved, but I don't recall more than that.

However, I stress that this was a UK road trip and no borders were crossed.

Savvy_Sue

Savvy_Sue said:

I have memories of an item on Radio 4, possibly on Saturday Live, but so many years ago ... of a lady who took her mum's body on a road trip around the UK in a camper van, visiting mum's favourite spots.

I believe she checked beforehand and was breaking no laws. A coffin was involved, but I don't recall more than that.

However, I stress that this was a UK road trip and no borders were crossed.

I think this is it.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ellee-seymour/diy-funerals-wendii-and-her-mother_b_1533567.html

And I was wrong, no coffin.

It was however only 3 days, in our climate.

Grumpy_chap

NotArobot24 said:

I have suggested they buy a load of ice in Calais.

One assumes that the ice, if that is the chosen method of keeping temperature low, would need to be in place from the very start of the journey, not just at Calais.

How would the ice be kept sufficiently frozen to keep the body at a suitable temperature for preservation for the many hours that this journey will take?

How will melted ice be managed?



I am afraid that elements of the proposals that are being put forward strike me as from the script of The Booze Cruise rather than serious consideration.  I understand the OP is grieved and also seeking to do what they feel is best, but this really does seem something that best is engaging the proper professional services and meeting the costs appropriately.  If there are no funds in either the Estate of the deceased or the friends / relatives to meet this cost then there needs to be a compromise on what happens.