Cost of Repatriating Deceased Family Members Who Died Awaiting Deportation

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is a devastating experience. When that person passes away in Canada while actively navigating the refugee system or awaiting a deportation order, the tragedy is heavily compounded by intense logistical and legal barriers. Many families in cities like Toronto, Montreal, or Calgary suddenly find themselves trapped between grief and a mountain of international bureaucracy. Bringing a family member back to their home country for a final resting place requires navigating provincial health laws, federal border regulations, and foreign consulate requirements.

It is a common misconception that because the individual was under a CBSA removal order, the Canadian government will cover the cost of flying their remains home. 📍 Generally, this is completely false. When a foreign national dies in Canada, the immigration and deportation proceedings immediately cease, and the file is closed. The financial and legal burden of repatriation falls entirely on the surviving family. Navigating this process often requires the assistance of a specialized funeral home and sometimes a law firm to quickly resolve any outstanding legal holds on the deceased’s passport or identity documents.

Step-by-Step Process for Repatriating Remains from Canada

Shipping human remains internationally is a highly regulated procedure. You cannot manage this alone; you must rely on licensed professionals to clear customs safely. Here is the step-by-step process families must follow to send their loved one home.

Step 1: Notifying Authorities and Securing Documents

The first step is obtaining the official pronouncement of death. 📄 If the death was sudden or occurred in CBSA detention, a provincial coroner will be involved, which may delay the release of the body. Once released, you must obtain a provincial Statement of Death and a formal Death Certificate. Additionally, you should notify Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or CBSA so they can formally cancel the deportation order and close the active legal file.

Step 2: Hiring a Specialized Funeral Home

Not every funeral home handles international repatriation. You must find a local funeral director experienced in “shipping out” remains. They will handle the strict preparation requirements, which universally mandate professional embalming for international air travel. The funeral home will also supply a hermetically sealed (airtight) zinc-lined casket or specialized shipping container required by commercial airlines.

Step 3: Obtaining Consular Clearances

Before any airline will accept the cargo, you must get approval from the home country’s embassy or consulate in Canada. 🔬 The funeral director will submit the Death Certificate, an Embalmer’s Affidavit, a Letter of Non-Communicable Disease (proving the person did not die of a severe infectious outbreak), and the deceased’s original passport. The consulate will then issue a transit permit or seal the casket to prevent tampering at customs.

Step 4: Booking International Air Cargo

Human remains are flown in the cargo hold of standard commercial passenger flights. Your funeral director acts as a freight forwarder, booking the flight through airlines like Air Canada Cargo. You must coordinate with a receiving funeral home in the destination country, as the airline will only release the casket to a licensed professional upon landing, not directly to the family at the airport.

How Much Does Repatriation Cost in Canada?

The cost of repatriation is staggering, and payment is almost always required upfront. Here is a breakdown of the typical costs a family will face in Canadian dollars (CAD):

• Airline Fees: The most significant variable is the flight. Shipping a casket to Europe or South America might cost $3,500 CAD, while shipping to remote areas in Africa or Asia can easily exceed $8,000 CAD due to multi-leg connections.
• Cremation Alternative: If the family’s religion permits, choosing cremation in Canada and flying with the ashes in a carry-on urn drastically reduces the cost to roughly $2,500 to $4,000 CAD total.

How Long Does the Process Take?

Repatriating a body is not a fast process, primarily due to bureaucratic wait times. ⏱️ Gathering the provincial death certificates and the medical letters from the hospital usually takes 3 to 7 days.

Waiting for the foreign consulate to process the paperwork and issue the transit permits adds another layer of delay. In total, from the day of passing to the day the casket is loaded onto the airplane, the process generally takes 2 to 4 weeks. If the coroner is investigating the death, the timeline can be delayed indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Author: lawyerinfo.ca