C16-Sunday News, May 18, 1980

But if death should occur...

One of the last things we want to think about when planning a holiday is death. We are ali sure that this is something that happens to someone else — but cer- tainly not you or I. Or does it?

It is bad enough to lose a relative or close friend when you are at home, surrounded by supportive family, friends and neighbors but imagine

trayel- wise

by Barbara McCreadie

the helplessness and terror felt by someone, thousands of miles from home and alone in a country where the language and customs are unfamiliar.

I don’t like to be reminded about death. Any dealings I've had with’ funeral directors have been when my guard was down, my common sense. short- circuited and I approached with a checkbook in one hand and a wad of Kleenex in the other — hardly a sensible approach.

For that reason, I decided that all of us travellers need a bit of forewarning in case we ever have to deal with the death of a travel companion while abroad.

Jim Darby is a director of

the Memorial Society of British Columbia. He has the added advantage of being a friend, a neighbor and a busy figure in our local Little League baseball.

Jim gave me three hours of his time while we explored the sensible approach to a sensitive problem.

Let’s say you are enjoying a holiday in Majorca with a friend (spouse, relative or—). Without warning, your companion falls dead. What do you do?

First, a death certificate must be obtained from the local authorities. For most purposes, this must be issued by a doctor. This may not be as easy as it sounds! Often, doctors don’t want to be called at odd hours in cases where there is nothing they can do. If possible, avoid making Any final diagnosis yourself — call a doctor, but don't bother to tell him that your companion is, you think, dead.

Next, and this is probably *he most important move for you to make, call home, not just to relatives but toa local mortuary that you know and trust.

Grieving people are fair game for unscrupulous operators anywhere in the world and there is a large profit to be made in this business. Your

local operator will be able to advise you on _ foreign regulations, alternate

procedures and, with a calm helping of good sense, keep you out of the clutches of unscrupulous persons.

Your alternatives are simple: 1. You can arrange for buriel immediately (or

cremation). In some places this ts a legal necessity. A director of a_ British Columbia Memorial Society died in the Cook Islands and by local law, his widow was forced to have him buried within 24 hours.

2. You may choose to ship

the body home. If you decide on local

cremation, you may bring ©

the ashes home in a con- tainer and have a memorial service here. If you decide on foreign bunal, you may stil have a memorial service at home. Both of these alternatives are recom- mended from the point of view of cost.

Shipping a body home is costly. The arrangements at the point of death include a mortuary where you will be charged for documentation, embalming, use of the facilities and transportation to the airport. You will also be charged for a casket or cointainer for shipping the remains.

Next, comes the airfare. To be blunt, the airlines charge by the pound. An average sized man, in a moderate coffin will cost about $1100 to ship from Heathrow Airport in London to Vancouver by Arr Canada. Canadian Pacific Airhnes will return” your fnend for approximately $300 from Hawan.

Local regulations govern the style of container that 1s suitable for shipping remains. Jim advises that the purchase of a container should be governed by weight — overrule the in- sistant salesman in the foreign mortuary and be firm about the hghtest possible container. Those beautiful oak coffins weigh over 200 pounds, require a large outer cover and will probably cost a darn sight more in Las Vegas than they will here at home. This is where confir- mation of the regulations from your own home may save you a lot of money.

Bntish Columbia regula- tions insist that the remains be either embalmed or shipped in a sealed coffin. Embalming and an inex- pensive container may be the most financially sound move. Don't accept any

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stories about lead-lined coffins or other expensive luxuries until you check them out.

Death in warm climates indicates embalming, especially where the facilities are primitive. Cremation, if available, is a sensible alternative.

Some of your best advice may come from _ the Canadian Consulate in the area where the death oc- curred. Remember, if there is no Canadian Consulate, the British Consulate will lend a hand.

A local family recently had a relative returned from Puerto Rico. When all the costs were tallied, more than $5000 was wasted on un- necessary procedures. Can you afford to make that kind of mistake?

Often, people with ex- tended insurance will look at the death benefit clause. thinking that this must be applied to the arrangements for the victim. Wrong! In times of stress, we fail to remember that there are all sorts of unscrupulous Operators anxious to make as many bucks as the traffic will bear. Tourists are fair game.

The Dean Miller Agencies in Vancouver handle two of the largest cruise lines that call into this city — Princess (Love Boats) and P and O. Dean explained that all ships Carry one (sometimes two) doctors and death ceruft- cates are simple to obtain, unless there is something fishy. The ships have facilities to handle bodies unlil the next reasonable port of call. Burial at sea may be arranged, if all authonties are satisfied. The staff is trained to help.

CPAir’s Reid Morr af- firmed that regulations for transporung remains are tricky — and agreed that contacung a local source may save you heartache and money. It is very simple to

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bring back ashes.

I listened while Jim Darby explained about recent press in Maui, Hawaii that ex- posed a funeral racket aimed at tourists. I visited the “show room” for caskets at the Memorial Society on Lilloet Drive. I looked at the inexpensive cloth casket ($180) and felt, as others have that I'd be cheating if I bought it. When I got home, I appreciated Jim's advice:

“You're perfectly normal. All of us feel that way. If it happens, keep your common sense.”

Jim went on to tell me about many bereaved who arrive on the premises either zonked on tranquilizers or hquor. You may think you need a “crutch” but the worst time to take it is when

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