Following the death of the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) couple, Leomer and Erika Joyce Lagradilla, a fundraising page was created in order to collect enough funds to bring their remains back home.
According to the page, a total of Php1,268,000 was needed to repatriate the remains of the couple as each body costs Php634,000 to be brought home.
This raises the question: Why is it so costly to repatriate remains abroad?
In a report written by Christine Cudis for the Philippine News Agency, repatriation costs are divided into two – travel expenses and documentary expenses.
Travel back home
In terms of travel expenses, remains are flown by plane. This is the most expensive part of the repatriation process as airline companies charge a flat rate per kilogram, based on the weight of the casket or bag. The body is also weighed.
Authorities have to ensure as well that the casket is leak-free which requires proper sealing process which is also very costly.
Repatriation process
Meanwhile, the documentary requirements needed to repatriate a body is not only tedious but also involves a long process, which requires a huge sum of money too.
After the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) have coordinated with the embassy stationed in the country where the remains will be repatriated from, the Embassy must provide information about the deceased for registration including the full name of the deceased, date of birth, passport number, where and when the passport was issued, and details of a family member.
The embassy must also hire a funeral director in charge of embalming the remains.
Once done, the Embassy must be able to secure these documents: Certificate of Preparation of the Remains, Certificate of Non-Contagious Disease, Affidavit of Embalming or Affidavit of Packaging of Remains in Dry Ice for International Transportation.
It is only after these are accomplished that a Consular Mortuary Certificate and Report of Death will be given.
