What do you do when a loved one dies while away from home?

Transporting Deceased Loved Ones

An AirMed member wrote to us recently with the following story, "Two years ago, my uncle died unexpectedly while we were on a family vacation in Orlando. No one in my family had the first clue about transporting him back home to Illinois. Can you tell me more about AirMed’s benefit of transporting mortal remains?"

Transporting a loved one who has died while away from home is truly one of the most daunting situations any of us could ever entertain in theory, let alone face in actuality. The questions and details seem endless amidst the grief process itself. That’s why all of us at AirMed know the importance of being there for our member and for everyone else involved during such an extremely emotional time. 

We offer the deceased transport as a member benefit for just that reason.  When a loved one dies, the deceased must be taken to a licensed funeral home or mortuary before being transported elsewhere. AirMed’s medical coordination staff is available by phone 24/7 to give you complete assistance with any part of this process, from whatever city you may be in.

As an AirMed member, we will manage all efforts for you, between ground transportation, funeral homes in different geographic locations, and any other arrangements that must be made, and we will keep your family informed during the entire deceased transport process. AirMed has transported mortal remains on our own aircraft but also on commercial aircraft, depending on individual family needs, but you can always rest assured that we will coordinate every detail to bring them to their final resting place.

A repatriation situation—when someone dies in another country—is handled a little differently depending on the laws governing the city and country where the death occurred. The term repatriation literally means ‘to send someone back to the country that is their own.’ In this circumstance, AirMed would arrange the same ground transportation and other details from a domestic transfer, but would also obtain the necessary documentation for the deceased to cross international boundaries.

We extend our sympathies to you and your family on the loss of your uncle. Thank you for taking the time to inquire about this important and too often overlooked benefit of being an AirMed member.

Dennis Scott, MD
Medical Director, AirMed International 

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AirMed is the premier global air ambulance and medical solutions company that protects your greatest asset: your health. Within the U.S. or internationally, an AirMed membership includes air medical transport to the hospital of your choice with no co-pays or out of pocket costs. AirMed also includes a host of other benefits ranging from transport to a domestic facility that specializes in life-saving treatment, referrals to leading medical consultants, international prescription assistance and more. For more information, visit airmed.com