Case Study: Repatriating a body from Micronesia to the UK
When a young British citizen died on a trip to a remote Micronesian island, Servizi Funebri Pozzoli was called upon to bring them home.
One day, one of our partner insurance companies announced to us the death of one of its clients due to a drowning on the remote Micronesian island of Chuuk. The deceased in question was a very young person, and a British citizen who lived near Manchester. The death had occurred at sea, and the body was transported by local authorities to the nearest hospital.
Following the request, we at Servizi Funebri Pozzoli immediately began the procedures necessary for the repatriation. Unfortunately, there were no embassies or funeral homes in Micronesia that could help us – however, thanks to our international experience, knowledge, and network, this was surmountable.
There were three main challenges in conducting the repatriation:
• Casket – In Micronesia, it is not the custom to bury the deceased in a coffin; therefore, after a long search, we had to procure a casket that complied with international regulations from a local craftsman; under less challenging circumstances, we would have considered sending a casket directly from our headquarters in Italy
• Documentation – As already mentioned, there are no consular representatives on the island, and the nearest UK authority was thousands of kilometres away. Consequently, after the autopsy, the necessary documentation was drawn up by the hospital staff – who were very accurate and punctual
• Flight – The only two international airlines that arrive in Micronesia are Korean Airlines and United Airlines. We therefore consulted the two companies and chose the most reliable and most cost-effective one by dealing directly with the airline’s headquarters.
Travelling home
After just less than two weeks, we were able to seal the casket and transport it to the airport, where the body left the island – travelling to London via Guam, Honolulu, and New York. The return journey, despite the stopovers, was very quick – we technically gained a day by crossing the international date line.
Once the body arrived in London, our English partner received the coffin at the airport, and finally transported it home. Throughout the process, we maintained constant, daily contact with both the insurance company and the family – who had returned to the UK as soon as the death occurred.
The repatriation of the body was the first of its type to be done from that island in about three years. Additionally, the mission was one of the longest distances in which Servizi Funebri Pozzoli has ever had to conduct a repatriation.
Alberto Simone Pozzoli, Principal CEO
After successfully obtaining a master’s degree in economics and finance at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, and experience in New Zealand, Alberto joined the family businesses, taking on increasingly important roles and responsibilities within the firm over time. At 37 years old, he has now been managing for more than 10 years, dealing with all aspects of the repatriation of mortal remains and their financial management.
October 2023
Issue
In the second of our Assistance and Repatriation Reviews of 2023 we look at Antarctic assistance and extreme medical assistance for explorers and remote workers. We also examine factors driving cost increases in medical assistance around the world. Covid ramped up the cost of assistance, but what else has actually changed currently? In this issue we also look at treatment and evacuation options from the Caribbean. Finally, we look into the red flags that insurers need to watch out for when contracting with ground ambulance service providers.
Servizi Funebri Pozzoli
Since its foundation in 1968, Servizi Funebri Pozzoli has provided both a range of funeral services and the repatriation of mortal remains from all over the world. Now, after almost 60 years, it is one of the leading companies in the sector in Italy and a reference point for insurance companies, assistance companies, consulates and embassies.
