After they pass away, it might be that someone wanted their final resting place to be somewhere completely different than the place they lived. It might be that they return to the place of their birth, or they might want to be buried in a country or city that held special significance to them. If a destination burial is something that you or a loved one is considering, it's important to be aware of the planning that is necessary to make it happen.
The Legality of Overseas Burial
Whether an overseas cemetery will accept a foreigner for burial is a difficult question. There are so many different rules, regulations and costs involved. It's a matter of qualifying for burial, and the ease of this can vary. For example, while you or your loved one might wish to be buried at the iconic Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris alongside Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison, permission will only be granted if the deceased was a resident of Paris (and this is in addition to the hefty cost and possible waiting times). Obviously, a lower profile burial plot in a foreign country might be easier to arrange (and less costly), but certain qualifying factors still apply.
For overseas burials, the services of local funeral homes will still be required for the preliminary proceedings, so you could request that the funeral home makes the necessary enquiries well in advance. You could also contact the city authorities in the potential final resting space to enquire about their regulations. Of course, the matter can be more straightforward if the deceased is to be buried in their country of birth, where they still had citizenship or permanent residency.
The Costs Involved
It's not surprising that the additional costs involved in an overseas burial can raise the overall price, so it's important to plan ahead. There is the cost of the burial, along with any applicable fees, as well as the cost of transporting the deceased (which most airlines do). Costs can perhaps be managed with funeral insurance, ideally paying premiums to the extent that the entirety of an overseas burial can be covered. Be sure to be aware of any exclusions before acquiring any type of insurance.
There is also the fact that many of the mourners might not be in a financial position to travel internationally for the service. While the burial might take place on the other side of the world, a local memorial service allows those who are not able to attend the overseas funeral an opportunity to come together in remembrance.
An Alternative Option
The appeal of this alternative option will vary depending on your definition of a final resting place, but it can be more cost effective to opt for cremation at a local funeral home, before the ashes are transported to the favoured foreign destination and scattered, with loved ones who are able to travel in attendance.
While it can be possible for someone's final resting place to be in foreign soil, it's important to be aware of the complications involved.
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