The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah reminded Filipino families to be familiarized with the right process on how to ship the remains of a Filipino to the Philippines.
This reminder came after several queries were received from Overseas Filipino Workers about how families can claim their remains after death.
According to the Consulate, is the employer who is primarily responsible to process the shipment as well as the requirements needed for the safe exit of the remains.
The sponsor must inform the family of the deceased about the death, report the death to the police station, as well as secure a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) of Human Remains, the medical report, and the death notification from the hospital where the Filipino died or where the remains were brought to.
After securing all the other documents and requirements, the sponsor will then have the exit visa of the deceased issued. They must also proceed to the morgue for the release of the remains, and then head to the airline and the cargo company to arrange the shipment of the remains as well as the deceased’s personal belongings. Afterwards, they should inform the Consulate about the confirmed flight details.
From the Philippines, the deceased’s next of kin are advised to visit the nearest DFA office and submit a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) stating their relationship to the deceased, their willingness to accept the human remains, and the address in the Philippines to which the remains will be shipped. The letter must be accompanied by any valid proof of relationship with the deceased like PSA and DFA- authenticated marriage (if it is the spouse submitting the letter of acceptance) or birth certificate of the deceased (if the parents or a parent is claiming the human remains).
The LOA will be the basis of the Consulate to issue the No Objection Certificate to the deceased’s employer
For more information about the requirements, OFWs are advised to visit the website of PCG Jeddah www.jeddahpcg.dfa.gov.ph/
