While not actually a specific risk type, rather the result of a crisis, repatriations can present a threat to the company if poorly managed. The repatriation of an employee's remains can be a challenging and emotive task for a manager under the best of circumstances. Often repatriation will be managed by a CRT, rather than by an IRT, as the movement of any remains will typically occur over a more protracted period of time. That said, the initial actions taken under the IMP will support the overall process, as the IRT will typically manage the first stages of a fatality event. When the fatality has occurred within a remote area, or in a country with limited infrastructures, repatriation can become significantly more difficult, and often an IRT will play a more involved role within the first stages of a repatriation. It is important that repatriations are effectively managed through every stage of the crisis, not only to reflect the moral obligation a company may have to the deceased and the loved ones, but also to safeguard the employee's insurance claim, as well as protect the company from reputational and liability suites.
Repatriations will differ in nature and complexity, depending on the company, its location, and the insurance requirements and support mechanisms in place. The condition of the deceased, both at the time of death and due to any deterioration that might occur during the repatriation process itself, will also affect the nature and impact of the process. Repatriations may consume considerable amounts of a management team's time and resources, as there are considerable procedural and documentation requirements to move a person's remains both in‐country and across international borders. The following considerations should be included in repatriation:
§ Possession Considerations.: Ensure that all personal effects are collected and inventoried by appropriate managers. All valuable effects should travel in the casket with the deceased. Inventories should travel with the casket, with copies held by the country CRT.
§ Religious Considerations.: Management should confirm the religion denomination and requirements of the deceased, requesting support in terms of blessings in accordance with particular beliefs.
§ Communication Considerations.: Management may wish to close down lines of project communications to enable the CRT to personally notify the family, preventing erroneous information from being transmitted from the site of the incident. Media inquiries should be routed through the public relations division. Employees should be advised as to the situation as quickly as possible and appropriate.
§ Contribution Considerations.: Under some circumstances it might be appropriate to gather contributions for the family. The company may wish to arrange a bank account for money to be deposited into.
§ Travel and Escort Considerations.: The deceased should be escorted to the family to ensure that all problems are solved en route. A travel plan should be written to minimize errors. A contracted funeral director will require the following information: the deceased's name, passport number, nationality, and passport issue location.
§ Embalming and Autopsies.: Definitive requirements for autopsies should be established to protect the deceased's insurance policy. Formal notification of a requirement prior to embalming should be gained from the insurer. Embalming is typically a requirement prior to air transportation and should be conducted after the autopsy, as it would interfere with results.
§ Clothing Considerations.: On completion of the autopsy and embalming process, suitable attire should be placed on the deceased. This should be taken with the escorts and should reflect cultural requirements. Body shapes may also change noticeably after death or an autopsy, and dressing a corpse can be problematic.
§ Pay Considerations.: Remaining wages should be paid immediately to the family. Bank account details should be confirmed to ensure that the deceased's bank account has not been frozen and the next of kin can receive the outstanding wages immediately.
§ Insurance Considerations.: The corporate CRT should confirm whether an autopsy is required. If one is required, the deceased should not be embalmed until the autopsy is complete. Local, regional, or national autopsy facilities should be identified. International facilities may be required, en route to the deceased's family location, to conduct any autopsy. Clear guidelines should be issued by the corporate CRT to meet insurance requirements.
§ Documentation Considerations.: The family will be required to provide a letter of authority for the conduct of an autopsy. Marriage licenses and other proofs of relationship will be required for insurance purposes. The contracted funeral provider assisting with the movement of the deceased must have all necessary documentation e‐mailed in advance, and, in addition, must have specific information on the family's contracted funeral provider in order to secure an air waybill permitting onward air travel. All hard copies should be sent with the deceased.
§ Medical Considerations.: The family must be informed that the deceased may require an autopsy and must be embalmed in order to permit travel on civilian airlines. Medical documentation must be secured from the relevant appropriate person.
§ Travel Requirements.: The aircraft number, departure point, departure date, departure time, arrival point, and arrival time must be documented so that multiple groups can be coordinated within the process.
It is imperative that the IRT receives appropriate guidance in order to safeguard the family's emotional and insurance welfare, as well as the company's reputational and liability exposure. The IMP initiates the requirements of a repatriation; however, more matured policies and officers should quickly assume responsibility for this form of crisis situation. Repatriations can easily go wrong, and strict management is required to move a deceased's remains across international borders.
