How To Handle Unexpected Death While Traveling

Death on a Trip 

Dealing with an unexpected death while traveling. 

I hope it never, ever happens to you.

Although this subject is dark and not much fun, I don’t feel like I can call a travel website complete if I haven’t discussed what could quite possibly be the worst thing that can happen when you travel. 

Whether it be your own, your traveling companions or an untimely death of a loved one back home, I sincerely hope you’re never forced to deal with death on a trip. I would never wish for anyone to get that awful phone call that the worst has happened . . . whatever amazing place you’re visiting will carry a heavy gray shadow forever.

Dying on Vacation . . . What a Way To Go!

If it wouldn’t cause such an enormous logistical nightmare for my traveling companions, I wouldn’t mind dying on vacation . . . at a very, very old age, of course.

I’d rather leave this earth doing something I love instead of dying in my sleep of something boring. 

What Could Happen

We’ll examine three situations:

• You die
• Your travel companion dies
• Someone at home dies

In these situations, we’re assuming the death is caused by natural causes or an unfortunate accident.

If you’re involved in a terror attack or some major world event, unless you’re somewhere the United States government doesn’t have an Embassy, they should step in and help you sort things out.

In fact, if you’ve stumbled across this article because you’ve experienced a tragedy while traveling, here is the link to the official US Travel Department for Death Abroad.

You Die

What an interesting way to go, dying on vacation!

Even better, you don’t have to worry about getting your body home!

I love that you took the easy way out, I hope you enjoy whatever comes after this.

If your travel companions were being pains in the butt, you get the last laugh. Haha.

Your Traveling Companion Dies

You’re in shock and have no idea what to do next. Here’s my suggestion:

Request Assistance From the Local Authorities

• Go to this website
• Call the local authorities and ask for an English speaking representative
• When the local authorities arrive, assist them openly and honestly
• They’ve dealt with this kind of situation before, they know the proper procedures to follow and can guide you towards “what’s next”

Phone Calls Home

When you’re done dealing with the local authorities, take a deep breath and organize your thoughts. You’re going to have to make a handful of very difficult phone calls home to explain to friends and family what happened.

Grab a pen and paper and make a list of people who MUST hear this news from you. These calls will be both terrible and a great relief . . . you won’t feel so alone when there are others who share your grief.

Call a Clear Headed Friend

Reach out to YOUR closest, clear-headed friend or family member. What you’re going through is incredibly difficult, you’re going to need moral support and quite possibly some creative ideas. 

Deal With the Body

At some point, you’ll realize there’s a body that needs to get back home or perhaps be buried locally.

Reach out to the United States Embassy and ask them to walk you through your options.

• Some countries may require an autopsy, even if your traveling companion is a 100 years old. 
• Some countries allow cremation
• Others countries don’t allow creamation 

Deal With the Expense Later

Regardless of how you choose to get the body home, unless your travel pal bought travel insurance that covers “return of mortal remains”, you and/or their family will have to front the expense.

This comes with a whole other host of problems if you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t share your bank account.

Sort it out when you get home.

• Cremated remains will be about $300 to bring home
• To return a body in an approved container will be between $5,000-$20,000

Once you’ve secured the return of the body, reach out to your airline and have them explain your options of returning home early.

You need to get a death certificate before you leave the country. 

When Someone Dies At Home

If a friend or family member dies at home while you’re on a trip, you’re going to feel a mixture of shock, loneliness, helplessness, confusion and fright, which are all completely normal. If this unfortunate situation ever happens to you I hope you’re traveling with someone helpful and capable, not someone dramatic and difficult. 

You need to go home quickly:

Stop

Take a deep breath.

Figure Out How To Get Home

• Call your airline
• Explain your situation and state that you need to get home as quickly as possible
• Unless the customer service agent is brand new they will have dealt with this before. 

If the airline can’t get you home quickly (this can happen, some flights aren’t daily) get online and buy a ticket home, you can sort out the financial issues later. I’d suggest you make your decisions and plans quickly before confusion and grief set in.

Confusion and grief make everything more difficult. 

Pack up your things and head to the airport. 

Buy the Airplane Wi-Fi

If your airplane offers Wi-Fi, even if it’s obnoxiously expensive, I’d recommend you buy it and use it throughout the whole flight. The flight back will be at least eight hours, you’ll feel better if you’re in contact with your friends and family on your long journey. 

To keep yourself busy on the flight, reach out to any hotels, pre-purchased tickets or tours and explain your situation. They might be willing to offer you a refund or future credit.

If companies are willing to refund you, that’s great. If they aren’t, that’s okay too.

Returning home to grieve and honor your friend or family member is more important than any money you’ll lose from your trip. I’m also suggesting this as a creative way to keep your brain occupied on what will be a very long flight.

Crying is Normal, Getting Drunk Isn’t

Grief comes in waves and there’s a good chance you’ll be on an airplane for eight hours or longer, which will feel like a lifetime. It’s okay to cry. Flight attendants have encountered crying passengers before, most will do what they can to comfort you.

Please don’t get drunk on the flight. The last thing your family needs when you get home is to deal with someone who is drunk and jetlagged.

Emotions are already high, don’t add to the drama. 

Your Friend Gets Bad News From Home

If someone you’re traveling gets a bad new phone call they’re going to be in shock, please do what you can to be their rock.

Your travel pal won’t be thinking clearly, you may need to help them make decisions.

Getting them home quickly and safely is the priority.

I Hope This Never Happens To You

I sincerely hope you never have to deal with any type of death while you’re out exploring the world.

That being said, unless someone you love is actually on their deathbed, don’t convince yourself that it’s never safe to travel anywhere because someone you know might die.

Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed, don’t ever invite tomorrow’s sorrow into your life that isn’t actually visible today.

Thanks So Visiting

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In fact, while you’re here take your time and poke around the site, see if there are any other topics you’re interested in. If you have any questions or see any typos, please let me know!

If you’re wondering what prompted me to share my travel knowledge, check out the About Me section.

I’d love to hear about your travel experiences, good and bad. We’ll all be better travelers if we learn from one another. 

The Art of Travel (TAOT) ~ Written by Kylie, these beautiful photos came from Unsplash.