Bringing a loved one home from another country can be a delicate process that requires careful coordination and respect for legal, logistical, and cultural details. Our Life product includes help with transportation arrangements following a loss abroad, including round-trip travel and accommodations for a family member. This benefit is included in all MetLife Worldwide Benefits Life policies.
We understand that the loss of a loved one is an incredibly difficult time — especially when it happens far from home. If you or one of your dependents passes away abroad, we will arrange transportation to the primary residence or home country. If you are alone abroad, we will provide travel assistance for one family member to accompany the remains from the location of death to the receiving funeral home.
We engage with the local funeral directors in both countries to manage paperwork and logistics.
Cultural considerations can include ensuring the transportation process respects the deceased’s cultural or religious practices, such as burial timelines and the handling of remains. Legal requirements can include obtaining the Death Certificate, obtaining transit permits, and complying with customs regulations.
We will arrange transportation to the primary residence or home country. This includes coordinating airline policies, special handling, and timing. Airlines often have strict rules for transporting human remains, including weight, packaging, and documentation requirements.
If a member passes away while abroad alone, we provide an economy-class round-trip ticket for one family member to accompany their remains from the location of death to the receiving funeral home
For repatriation services, MetLife partners with AXA Assistance, a highly experienced emergency assistance provider with the training and resources to act professionally and act fast. AXA works closely with multiple parties, from funeral homes to local authorities, often in foreign locations, to ensure remains are brought back to their family. With vast knowledge and experience, AXA is also considerate of the cultural and religious requests for the remains and can adjust the situation to accommodate these important aspects.
If someone on your plan passes away abroad, you, your beneficiary, or your employer can contact us for help with repatriating the body. This can happen before a Life claim is submitted.
We will connect you with AXA to start the repatriation process. AXA will validate eligibility and collect the necessary details, such as where body is, the receiving funeral home, legal and documentation requirements, cultural/religious sensitivities, and more.
If a family member would like to accompany the body, AXA arranges transportation and accommodations for the family member.
AXA makes the travel arrangements, communicating directly with you or the family member accompanying the remains.
The remains are safely and securely moved to their receiving funeral home, with all details coordinated and handled by AXA. MetLife can help with the claim submission process once you are ready.
If you need to coordinate a repatriation of mortal remains, you can contact us or contact AXA directly. AXA is available 24/7 for repatriation support. Below is AXA’s contact information:
We offer other tools and services for the loss of a loved one, as well. Read more on our Beneficiary Support page.
