The aftermath of an aviation disaster

Due to Laos' lack of infrastructure to manage a large number of deaths simultaneously, the bodies were taken to local temples for temporary storage, which also served as a base for forensic identification. As information reached various embassies and insurance companies about the deceased, AMAR Repatriation in Thailand received calls for assistance in repatriating the bodies.

Taking decisive action

The Thailand team and I loaded our van with disaster kits and embarked on a 12-hour overnight drive across the border into Vientiane to offer aid, as the Lao government had closed the airport. Our first challenge of finding a suitable location for our mobile mortuary was overcome after we received permission from the medical director of Champassak Regional Hospital in Pakse to set up an old brick building at the hospital’s far corner. After hours of cleaning and clearing cobwebs, our makeshift mobile mortuary was ready for service.

That evening, AMAR Repatriation received notification from a legal representative of the families of three Korean individuals who lost their lives in the crash. Seven days after the disaster, all postmortem examinations and DNA testing were completed. Their families had arrived in Vientiane after a six-hour flight to Bangkok followed by a 12-hour road trip.

Cultural considerations

The families had specific requests based on their cultural beliefs, and it was clear they needed closure. However, the challenge was that the bodies were not in a suitable condition for viewing. Throughout my 46 years in the industry, I have believed in being open and honest with families about the condition of their loved ones. 

After completing the arrangements, I returned to the hospital to implement the families’ requests. Two team members went into town to purchase coffins while another visited a local temple for burial clothing. The family members requested to visit our base the next day for religious rituals, including viewing an open coffin. I worked late into the night embalming the three individuals to ensure everything was prepared perfectly. 

After completing the embalming and restorative work, I placed the three Koreans in their coffins. To provide closure without exposing them to trauma, I placed a white silk sheet over each body, creating an illusion of their loved ones. Additionally, I displayed their hands, allowing families to kiss and hold them. The families were grateful for the opportunity to say their final goodbyes.

One request was that the three individuals be cremated simultaneously, which Laos could not accommodate. The following day, my team and I returned to Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, where the cremations took place at three separate temples.

Blessing the ashes

Nine days after the crash, I met with the families at one of the temples in Ubon Ratchathani, where a monk blessed the three wooden urns containing the ashes before handing them to the families.

The ashes began their journey home, accompanied by their loved ones. As they were laid to rest alongside deceased family members, a profound sense of closure enveloped all present.

As a repatriation company, it is essential to heed the desires of the families. Our actions shape lasting memories, and we bear the responsibility to do it right the first time. By attentively listening to their wishes, we can ensure that the journey becomes a cherished moment in their lives.