According to a report by the personal finance website “MoneyWise,” when a tourist passes away while on a cruise, the cost of repatriating the remains—known as “repatriation” fees—can reach as high as 20,000 yuan, often leaving families unable to afford it. Lawyers point out that cruise lines do not cover these costs, and the specific amount depends on where the body is disembarked from the ship and its final destination. While most travel insurance policies include coverage for repatriation, it is important to carefully review the policy details to understand the specific scope of coverage.
Between 2000 and 2019, there were 623 deaths on cruise ships, 89% of which were passengers.
The report noted that if a passenger dies on a cruise ship, the situation facing the family can be extremely complicated, as the remains may be very far from home and repatriation can be quite expensive. For example, a 78-year-old wife in a couple in their 70s suddenly died of a heart attack while on a cruise; when her husband arranged to have her remains transported back to Kansas, the bill totaled approximately $20,000. A State Department announcement states that the U.S. government will not cover the costs of repatriating the remains or ashes of U.S. citizens to the United States.
Adam Deitz, a maritime attorney at Mariner Law, PLLC, said that remains are typically kept in the cruise ship’s mortuary until the vessel arrives at port, at which point local authorities and funeral directors assist the family with follow-up arrangements and the transportation of the remains.
Deitz noted that as long as the cause of death is not suspicious and is not due to trauma, modern cruise ships are generally capable of properly preserving the remains for a sufficient period of time until the ship returns to the country of origin. In cases involving suspicious causes of death or trauma, government agencies typically launch an investigation.
Jason R. Margulies, a partner and maritime attorney at “Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A.” (Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A.), said that cruise ship mortuaries are typically located on lower decks, away from food storage areas or passenger common areas, and that standard mortuary refrigeration units can accommodate three to six bodies.
He noted that cruise ships have trained professionals on board who can handle the remains in a manner that preserves the dignity of the deceased.
Margulies pointed out, however, that families must determine whether they have insurance coverage, as cruise lines do not cover the cost of repatriating remains, “which can be very expensive.”
The total cost of repatriating remains typically ranges from 5,000 to 25,000, depending on where the remains are disembarked from the cruise ship and their final destination.
Chrissy Valdez, Senior Director of Operations at the online travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth, stated that the vast majority of travel insurance policies include medical evacuation and repatriation of remains as standard coverage, but the exact coverage and scope may vary, so it is essential to carefully review the policy details.
The report noted that if there is no insurance and funds are insufficient, family members may consider having the remains cremated at a local port, as the cost of repatriating the ashes is relatively lower.
