Understanding Repatriation and How to Bring a Deceased Person Back to Indonesia

You may have heard about repatriation of remains to Indonesia when an Indonesian citizen (WNI) passes away overseas. To understand the full meaning and the steps involved, let's go through the explanation below.

Understanding Repatriation of Remains to Indonesia

An Indonesian citizen who passes away outside the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) must be reported to the Representative of the Republic of Indonesia. This allows the family to take further action promptly, especially if the burial is planned within NKRI territory.

Of course, this report can help the family prepare for the burial in Indonesia through funeral management services or burial services. Furthermore, if the body will be buried in the homeland, it must go through the repatriation process to Indonesia.

According to the Indonesian Big Dictionary (KBBI), repatriation can mean, "the return of a person to their homeland (to their country of origin)".

Regarding the repatriation of remains, this process is commonly understood as the return of the body of an Indonesian citizen who is overseas. This process naturally requires certain conditions, such as completing several related documents.

As additional information, the term repatriation is not only used in relation to the return of remains. It is also common in the field of taxation, for example, the return of a citizen's assets located overseas. In this context, the term repatriation falls under tax amnesty.

Next, please read the explanation below about the documents required to carry out the repatriation of remains.

Requirements That Must Be Met for Repatriation

There is legislation that governs the repatriation of remains to Indonesia. Any coffin or other container holding ashes or remains will be exempt from import duties during shipment to Indonesia.

These customs regulations are found in Law Number 17 of 2006 on the Amendment to Law Number 10 of 1995. Therefore, the family or guardian does not need to worry about the return process, as long as the required documents are complete.

Below is the list of documents required:

• An application to export the remains from an official agency.
• A valid passport of the person accompanying the remains.
• The passport of the deceased.
• An export permit from the local authority.
• Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) from the hospital.
• Certification of Embalming from the authorized hospital.
• Certification of Sealing.

Repatriation of Remains to Indonesia Will Be Assisted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Generally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) will assist with the administrative process related to returning remains to Indonesia. However, the documents listed above are requirements that must be fulfilled by the family or relevant relatives to complete the conditions for the return of the remains.

Once these documents are complete, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in the relevant country will coordinate with the authorities that have the mandate to handle the remains.

Moreover, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) and the KBRI, will help cover the cost of repatriating the remains if the family or relatives are in financial difficulty. For this reason, it is important to prepare a certificate of inability to pay (surat keterangan tidak mampu) to be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, if the family or relatives are able to pay, the KBRI and KJRI will only assist with administration.

Next, once the documents are complete, the following explanation will cover the procedure for repatriating the remains to Indonesia.

Procedure for Returning Remains to Indonesia

Below are the steps for repatriating remains to Indonesia:

• Prepare all the documents required for returning the remains from overseas to Indonesia.
• Once these requirements are met, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in the relevant country will begin coordinating with the local authorities to handle the remains.
• Through the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will cover the repatriation costs for families in financial need.
• If the family is in financial difficulty, they may include a certificate of inability to pay, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may help cover the cost of returning the remains.
• The KBRI and KJRI will only handle administration if the family is able to pay.
• An official agent will prepare the shipment of the remains, such as the coffin, with the destination and shipping method arranged in advance.
• The agent will notify the family of the departure schedule and estimated arrival time at the destination.

Please note that if the person died under unnatural circumstances or outside hospital care, the police will require an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The autopsy results will also be useful as a requirement for processing insurance claims. In addition, funeral insurance can also assist the family or relatives after the remains arrive in Indonesia for burial.

Having learned the requirements and procedures, you may read the next section on the transport routes for returning remains to Indonesia.

How Much Does Repatriation of Remains Cost?

The cost of repatriating remains is the amount needed to bring a body from overseas to Indonesia, or from another city to Jakarta. Kamboja, as a funeral service provider, offers various repatriation packages with prices that vary according to the type of service chosen. Here are some of the available options:

A. Standard Domestic Repatriation of Remains

• Receiving the remains from within the country to Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Airport)
• Administrative handling such as cargo, customs, and airport transport
• Transport of the coffin from the airport or to a public cemetery, funeral home, or family home in DKI Jakarta
• Price: IDR 6,500,000

B. Premium Domestic Repatriation of Remains

• Receiving the remains from within the country to Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Airport)
• Administrative handling such as cargo, customs, and airport transport
• Premium coffin transport (Alphard) to a public cemetery, funeral home, or family home in DKI Jakarta
• Price: IDR 12,000,000

C. VIP Domestic Repatriation of Remains (New Alphard)

• Receiving the remains from within the country to Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Airport)
• Administrative handling such as cargo, customs, and airport transport
• VIP coffin transport (New Alphard) to a public cemetery, funeral home, or family home in DKI Jakarta
• Price: IDR 15,000,000

D. Standard International Repatriation of Remains

• Receiving the remains from overseas to Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Airport)
• Administrative handling such as cargo, customs, and airport transport
• Transport of the coffin from the airport or to a public cemetery, funeral home, or family home in DKI Jakarta
• Price: IDR 7,500,000

E. Premium International Repatriation of Remains

• Receiving the remains from overseas to Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Airport)
• Administrative handling such as cargo, customs, and airport transport
• Premium coffin transport (Alphard) to a public cemetery, funeral home, or family home in DKI Jakarta
• Price: IDR 13,000,000

F. VIP International Repatriation of Remains (New Alphard)

• Receiving the remains from overseas to Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Airport)
• Administrative handling such as cargo, customs, and airport transport
• VIP coffin transport (New Alphard) to a public cemetery, funeral home, or family home in DKI Jakarta
• Price: IDR 16,000,000

Routes for Returning Remains to Indonesia

Repatriation of remains to Indonesia can be carried out by land or by air. In general, both routes follow the same process. The party responsible for handling the remains can therefore be the person in charge or the company.

For land transport, a standard coffin can generally be used. However, for air transport, the coffin must meet specific standards. These standards follow regulations set by local health offices and relevant officers at all airports in Indonesia.

Aside from choosing land or air transport, using official channels should always be a priority so that the return of the remains can proceed safely.

In this way, you can choose the land or air route according to your needs. However, official channels should be the primary choice to avoid unofficial routes.

Returning Remains Through Official Channels

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia reminds the public to avoid unofficial routes when repatriating remains to Indonesia. For this reason, using official channels is the best option for bringing remains home from overseas.

This advice should be followed because unofficial routes can be exploited by irresponsible individuals to carry out criminal acts, such as smuggling narcotics and other illegal or prohibited goods.

Furthermore, unofficial practices also carry health risks, particularly if the remains being transported carry a contagious disease.

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia has made efforts to prevent the smuggling of illegal goods and the spread of disease through unofficial channels, for example by disseminating information, including gathering and writing to funeral shipping agents.

Now That You Understand Repatriation of Remains to Indonesia?

You can follow the requirements and procedures for repatriating remains to Indonesia (if a relative has passed away overseas) so that the process proceeds safely and smoothly. Also make sure to complete all applicable requirements. We hope this information is helpful to you. If you need repatriation services, please contact us and we will be ready to help. Kamboja Repatriation of Remains Service.