Issue 28.16
Nothing is more stressful or overwhelming than dealing with the death of a loved one. But can you imagine a loved one passing away unexpectedly – away from home? Most people would be completely unprepared if a death occurred during a vacation, business trip, or family visit. What would you do? Where would you begin?
I have helped many people deal with tragic circumstances throughout my seventeen years in the funeral business. In some instances, individuals from southern Utah have traveled to other states or foreign countries and have passed away. In other cases, visitors to our beautiful area have died unexpectedly. Their traveling companions experience the unthinkable. Each circumstance is different and carries its own unique challenges, especially when foreign countries have specific requirements for shipping or receiving human remains.
One common misconception among people in this situation is that travel insurance will take care of all of the details. This assumption is incorrect. Travel insurance companies will provide financial assistance but still require the assistance of a local funeral home. We at Serenity Funeral Home have joined a network of funeral homes that specialize in shipping human remains across the nation and around the world. These affiliations are helpful and have aided many people, but the best course of action is for an individual to make prearrangements before they travel. Directions and personal preferences should be recorded and made readily available for family members as well as kept on file at a local funeral home. This information should also include the statistical information necessary to complete the death certificate and other required documentation. For the duration of their travel, individuals should carry the contact information for their local funeral home in their wallet.
At Serenity Funeral Home, our funeral directors are available to give you advice and provide you with all of the paperwork necessary to ensure a comprehensive preplan. We will help you choose from the many options available, outline costs, and make any necessary recommendations. Although it is an option, you are not required to pay in advance to have your wishes kept on file. To begin this important process, contact us today at (435) 986-2085, or stop by our office just off Riverside Drive at 1316 S. 400 E., St. George, UT.