After a death far from home

The first hours

1. If the death happened at home, call 911. Paramedics and police will attend; this is normal and not an accusation. If the person was under hospice or a doctor's care, the doctor may certify the death directly.
2. If the death happened in a hospital, the hospital will ask which funeral home should collect the body. You do not have to decide immediately; the hospital can hold the body for a short time. Do not let anyone rush you into naming a funeral home you have not chosen.
3. Tell one person you trust and ask them to be your second pair of ears for every call in the coming days.
4. Contact the family's association, if there is one, and the Foundation. Associations often know funeral homes that handle repatriation for your country, and the Mutual Aid Compact may apply.

Choosing between repatriation, local burial and cremation

This is the family's decision, guided by faith, the wishes of the person, and cost. Many families want repatriation and discover the price only after committing. Ask for the full price of each option before signing anything.

• Repatriation (sending the body home): embalming, a sealed casket that meets airline and destination rules, documents (death certificate, embalming certificate, transit permit, consular mortuary certificate), funeral home fees on both sides, and air cargo. Costs vary widely by destination; ask two funeral homes for itemised quotes.
• Local burial: funeral home services, casket, cemetery plot, opening and closing, marker. Cemetery costs vary enormously across Los Angeles County.
• Cremation: usually the least expensive option; ashes can be carried or shipped home with far fewer documents. Check that it is acceptable to the family's faith and the person's wishes.

Your rights with a funeral home

Under the federal Funeral Rule and California law, a funeral home must:

• Give you an itemised general price list at the start, and prices by phone if you ask.
• Let you choose only the items you want; it may not require a package.
• Let you buy a casket elsewhere without penalty.
• Not claim embalming is required by law when it is not (it is generally required for repatriation, not for direct burial or cremation).
• Give you a written, itemised statement of everything you agreed to buy before you pay.

If a funeral home refuses any of these, walk away; the Foundation can suggest others.

Documents you will need

• Several certified copies of the death certificate (from the county; the funeral home usually orders them). Ask for more than you think — banks, insurers, employers, consulates and the airline each want one.
• The person's passport or identity document and, for repatriation, the consular mortuary certificate from the consulate of the country of origin.
• Any life or repatriation insurance policy, union or association membership, employer benefit, or bank account with a death benefit.
• For the funeral home: the person's full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, Social Security number if any, and occupation.

The consulate

The consulate of the country of origin issues the mortuary certificate needed to ship the body, registers the death for the home country, and in some countries provides financial help for repatriation of citizens. Bring the death certificate, the person's passport and your own identification. The Together and Stronger Consular Liaison Desk keeps contacts for many countries.

Paying for it

• Insurance: check for any life, accident, repatriation, union, association or employer policy. Employers sometimes carry small group life policies that families do not know about; ask the employer's HR directly.
• The Mutual Aid Compact: Together and Stronger's associations stand together when a member dies without insurance. The family's association and the Foundation coordinate the appeal and the funds. Learn about the Compact.
• Community collection: many families collect through their community or online. Beware of impostor appeals during this period — give the family's official channel one clear name.
• The Hardship Fund: for a deposit, a document fee or travel that unblocks the process. Hardship Relief.
• Public help: some counties have limited indigent burial programs for residents without means; the funeral home or the Foundation can explain what applies.

Work, money and the weeks after

• Time off: tell the employer promptly; many employers grant bereavement leave, and California law protects taking it in many cases.
• Accounts and bills: do not pay the deceased's debts from your own money without advice; debts are generally paid from the estate, if any.
• Children: if children were dependent on the person, ask about survivor benefits.
• Grief: the practical wave passes and the harder part begins. Community health centers and community organisations offer counselling in Spanish, French and other languages. We will help you find someone who understands your story.

Where the Foundation helps

• A person on the phone the same day.
• Comparing funeral and repatriation quotes with you.
• Coordination with the association, the Mutual Aid Compact and the consulate.
• A financial bridge when a small amount unblocks the process.
• Follow-up in the weeks after.