How do you bring a loved one home from Laos?

Timeline

How long does repatriation from Laos take?

In most cases, repatriation from Laos takes 18-28 days. The fastest straightforward cases complete in 10 days. Complex cases involving a post-mortem, criminal investigation, or a remote location can extend to 35-50 days or beyond.

What makes a case complex?

• Laos has limited forensic pathology infrastructure; routine post-mortems are conducted at Mahosot Hospital or Mittaphab Hospital in Vientiane; complex cases may require transfer to Thailand
• No Strasbourg Convention; full consular processing applies; administrative processes in Laos can be slower than in more developed systems
• Lao language documentation requires certified translation; the Lao script is unique and there is a very limited pool of UK-accredited Lao translators
• Deaths outside Vientiane, in Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, the 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don), or northern Laos, require transfer to Vientiane before documentation can begin; road infrastructure is limited in much of the country
• Export permit process through the Ministry of Health can take additional time if documentation is incomplete or cases are disputed

Documentation

What documents are required to bring a body home from Laos?

All of these documents must be in place before air transport can proceed. Your appointed repatriation coordinator will obtain most of them.

British Embassy

What does the British Embassy in Laos do when someone dies?

For British nationals, the British Embassy provides consular assistance, which includes giving you a list of local funeral directors, helping you notify relatives, and advising on local procedures. What the Embassy cannot do is pay for repatriation, organise the funeral director, or make arrangements on your behalf. If your loved one was a citizen of another country, contact that country's embassy or consulate instead.

Getting started

How do you start the repatriation process from Laos?

Call a specialist repatriation company. Do not wait until all other steps are complete. A specialist can begin the process immediately, even before the local death certificate has been issued.

You will need to provide: the name of the deceased, the location of the body, your contact details, and the name and contact of the local hospital or authority holding the body.