Solo traveller: the journey home

Independent travel in 2025 is increasingly recognised as a powerful form of self-care. According to research done by Northstar Travel Group, while Generation Z leads the way in enthusiasm for travel, those aged 42 and up are also a growing and significant part of this market. The benefits are plentiful: meeting lifelong friends, experiencing authentic cuisine, reconnecting with oneself and nature, and being immersed in new cultures. Yet even the most rewarding of experiences carry risk, and when tragedy unfortunately strikes far from home, it can take many hands to solve the complex puzzle that follows.

A difficult mission to a Pacific island

Repatriating the deceased is never easy. When the loss occurs on a remote French island in the Southwestern Pacific Ocean – with no US consulate or embassy nearby, and limited local funeral resources – it became a true logistical challenge. NMS, based in Cleveland, Ohio, and a leading expert in domestic and international mortuary shipping for over 40 years, stepped in to navigate these hurdles.

An elderly gentleman, travelling alone, unexpectedly passed away on the French islands of New Caledonia. His family, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, wished to have him embalmed and brought home for a funeral service and burial. Initially, the family contacted one of the very few local funeral homes, before quickly realising the complexities of an international repatriation, and subsequently sought expert assistance.

Bringing the deceased home

NMS’s first step was identifying which local authorities and funeral professionals could assist, and determining which US Embassy could provide oversight. With tourism relatively low, and local resources limited, as well as a 15-hour time difference and language barriers, we were able to secure the required approvals.

With Australia being only 750 miles away, but New Caledonia being French territory, our next step was to coordinate the shipping from the island to Paris, France – 10,252 miles away. We then had to find a trusted partner to help us retrieve his remains in Paris, prepare the proper documentation, secure consulate approvals, and coordinate the next flight into the US. Simultaneously, we had to coordinate the return of all personal belongings, which at one point had been temporarily misplaced by airline staff.

A positive outcome

Every detail – from official documentation, booking flights, 24/7 communication, to a single misplaced suitcase – came together to bring this solo traveller home. By solving each challenge step by step, across continents, language barriers and time zones, our team ensured that a family halfway around the world could honour their loved one properly, and say their goodbyes.

NMS has been one of the world’s largest and most respected mortuary shipping companies since 1981. Specialising in Domestic and International Mortuary Shipping, embalming, cremation, graveside services and flight booking, you can be assured of professional, cost-effective, attentive service anywhere in the world.

Every detail came together to bring this solo traveller home