Repatriation of remains between Colombia and the USA
When someone passes away far from home, bringing them back to their family and country of origin can be an important part of saying goodbye. Homeland International provides a comprehensive repatriation service between the United States and Colombia, helping families arrange the safe and dignified transportation of a loved one across international borders.
Whether you need to return someone to Colombia following a death in America, or arrange transportation to the USA from Colombia, we can manage the arrangements in either direction. We work with local funeral directors and relevant authorities to organise the necessary preparations, documentation and flights, providing support and guidance throughout the process.
Our Americas Hub in Miami with the support of our Spanish speaking team based in Colombia and our global assistance centre in the UK are well positioned to support with any repatriation in the US or Colombia.
How does repatriation between the USA and Colombia work?
Repatriating a loved one between the United States and Colombia involves several stages, from arranging the initial collection to securing permission for international transportation.
Once you contact us, we will establish the circumstances of the death, the current location of the deceased and their intended destination. We will then coordinate with a funeral director local to the place of death to arrange the necessary collection and preparation.
For transportation by air, embalming and specialist coffin arrangements will generally be required, depending on the applicable regulations and airline requirements. We will oversee these preparations and ensure the relevant transportation standards are met.
An important part of the process is obtaining the correct authorisations from the local authorities and, where necessary, the relevant consular services. Once the paperwork is complete, we will arrange the flight and coordinate with the receiving funeral director at the other end.
From the initial arrangements through to arrival, our team will help manage the details, allowing families to concentrate on their loved ones rather than the complexities of international transportation.
What documents are required for repatriation between the USA and Colombia?
The documentation for international repatriation can vary depending on the direction of travel and the local regulations in the state or region where the death occurred.
When transporting someone between Colombia and the United States, official death registration documents, transportation authorisations and relevant consular paperwork may be required. Some documents may also need to be translated into the language required by the receiving authorities.
Commonly requested documents include:
Documents and information from the family:
Passport or identification of the deceased
Death Certificate or local death registration
Details of the next of kin
Details of the receiving funeral director
Any relevant release or transportation authorisations
Documents arranged as part of the repatriation:
Embalming Certificate, where required
Certificate of Freedom from Infection, where applicable
Export and transportation permits
Consular Mortuary Certificate, where required
Funeral Director’s Declaration or Affidavit
Certified translations of documents, where necessary
Airline Air Waybill and associated shipping documentation
Further paperwork may be requested by Colombian authorities, US authorities or the relevant consulate. We will help identify the requirements for your particular circumstances and assist with obtaining the necessary documentation.
How much does repatriation between the USA and Colombia cost?
The price of repatriation between the USA and Colombia will depend on the individual arrangements and the locations involved.
Factors influencing the cost include the distance between the place of death and the departure airport, the destination airport, local funeral director charges, preparation of the deceased, airline freight costs and any additional documentation or consular requirements.
For a typical case between these countries, the price is usually between $5000 – $10,000 US Dollars.
As each case is different, Homeland International provides individual quotations rather than a standard fixed price. We will discuss your requirements, explain the services involved and provide a clear quotation before proceeding with the arrangements.
Which airports can we repatriate to in the USA and Colombia?
Colombia has several international airports serving different regions of the country. Choosing the correct arrival airport is an important part of the arrangements, particularly when the family or receiving funeral director is located some distance from the main international gateways.
Airports in Colombia include:
El Dorado International Airport, Bogotá
José María Córdova International Airport, Medellín
Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport, Cali
Rafael Núñez International Airport, Cartagena
Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, Barranquilla
Matecaña International Airport, Pereira
Palonegro International Airport, Bucaramanga
Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport, San Andrés
Airports in the USA include:
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York
Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey
Miami International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Boston Logan International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport
We can explore alternative airports depending on the location of the deceased, the final destination and available airline services. The most suitable route will be discussed with you before arrangements are confirmed.
On arrival, we can also coordinate customs clearance and onward transportation to the receiving funeral director or family’s chosen destination.
Request Quotation
Please provide us with some information such as where the repatriation is to and from so we can provide a quotation to you. You can contact us using one of the methods below:
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