are
small
passenger
planes
that
cannot
accommodate human remains. For that reason,
we promptly instructed a private jet to transport
our Quito based team and an empty coffin
to the Galapagos islands. Once again a clear
demonstration of the importance of strong
relationships with a whole host of worldwide
contacts,
including
Funeral
Directors
and
embalmers as well as private jet airlines, luggage
couriers and more, who can be called upon to
step up at short notice. On arrival to the remote
islands, we were able to apply some basic care
and preparation to the deceased to help
until we were able to embalm in mainland
Ecuador before conveying to the jet for the
flight back to Quito.
As we disembarked in Quito and the most
complex part of this repatriation was now
behind us. Now began the work of what
a ‘regular’ repatriation case from Ecuador would
be like. Most importantly, we needed to complete
an international embalming of the deceased
person as quickly as possible, largely due to the
time lost so far and the fact that the conditions
in the Galapagos were below international
standards. In the meantime, the paperwork
process was navigated and upon completion, the
documents were submitted to the US Embassy
for approval. At this stage we were able to work
with the receiving funeral home in Cleveland,
ascertaining what flights we had available and
when they would be able to collect from the
airport.
Homeland International can assist with
airport collections anywhere in the world,
however for this case the receiving funeral
home indicated it was something they wanted
to do themselves. A few hours after arriving
with the embassy, their consular mortuary
certificate was handed over to us and the
local process was therefore complete. To
finalize the repatriation, flights were booked
back to the USA via Houston and we provided
the receiving funeral home with all the
documents they needed to collect. Despite
the geographical, financial and logistical
challenges, the Homeland International team
was able to complete the repatriation in just
16 days.
It is vital we engage with
contacts we trust around
the world because in
these situations we rely
upon these local experts
who understand how to
best communicate based
on local languages and
cultures.
Photo: Simon Berger on Unsplash
THANOS MAGAZINE | No. 102 – SUMMER 2023
35
CASE STUDY