Preparing for the inevitable

by Nick Argles

 

 

As a single man living in Thailand and now 63 years old I want to make arrangements for when I do check out and I thought that I am perhaps not the only one so I asked the British Embassy what plans I should make. I do not know if writing about it will help anyone else but it will spur me into making plans so as not to burden my next of kin, my daughter Madeleine. She lives in the UK and has three children under 6 so has more than enough on her plate.

 

What happens on upon death of a foreign subject whilst in Thailand. Who is involved, police, doctors, hospital, embassy, coroner?

 

There are two scenarios which can apply to the death of a foreign subject in Thailand;

 

1) Passed away at home – police will notify the death to the embassy.

2) Passed away at hospital – the hospital will notify the death to the embassy.

 

The local authorities require a letter from the embassy for the body to be released for funeral arrangements and for official documents regarding death.

 

What are the options available to a foreign subject in Thailand – burial, cremation, etc.

Burial, cremation and body repatriation are the available options to a foreign subject in Thailand. However, burial is rare due to the cost. Usually, the family would rather have the body repatriated to the UK or have the body cremated and the ashes sent to the UK.

 

NA: Cremation for me please but I do not want the ashes sent back – bit too morbid for me and what would my family do with them?

 

How can one prepare for the inevitable if you have, or do not have family in Thailand?

It would be best to let the family either in the UK or Thailand know your preferences regarding funeral arrangements. However, if they do not have anyone, they could appoint someone they are close with to arrange the funeral with written authorisation.

NA: OK I have prepared a letter in case of my demise – please adhere to requests with dignity. 

 

What costs are involved?

Cost may vary depends on how a family decides to arrange funeral. If an undertaker is appointed, then the only payment the family needs to make is for the agreed price to do everything on behalf of the family. If the family decides to arrange a funeral locally by themselves, costs may involve transportation to collect the deceased from the hospital morgue, morgue fee, embalmment fee, and cremation fee which may be charged by the temple where cremation will take place.

 

Full Story: https://expatlifeinthailand.com/expat-life/preparing-for-the-inevitable/

 

-- © Copyright Expat Life in Thailand 2020-12-10

 

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I'll be dead, what happens to me after that is irrelevant. I won't know about it.

I have a Thai and Australian will, IMO that's all I need to do. My GF has a joint bank account which has enough money in it to tide her over until the will is probated.

My ashes may have to go back to Australia. I want them scattered on a golf course, but Thais may freak out if it is done here. My ghost, you see.

 

From the full linked article -

Quote

What costs are involved?

Cost may vary depends on how a family decides to arrange funeral. If an undertaker is appointed, then the only payment the family needs to make is for the agreed price to do everything on behalf of the family. If the family decides to arrange a funeral locally by themselves, costs may involve transportation to collect the deceased from the hospital morgue, morgue fee, embalmment fee, and cremation fee which may be charged by the temple where cremation will take place.

NA: OK will arrange and pay for it in advance so no one in the UK need be concerned 

So how do you go about actually doing that. What are the practicalities?

Especially if you may still be around for another 20 years or more............

Thanks for a really cheerful post. 

I'm surprised that there is no mention of the possible need for a post-mortem to be carried out before a body can be released for cremation.

This point is of particular interest to me as I have corresponded with British Embassy following instances where seemingly unnecessary post-mortems were being carried out, much to the distress of the deceased's family.

For example, an 84 year old man suffered a heart attack and was kept on life support, in Phetchabun hospital for over a month before he died. His family had to arrange transport for his body to be taken to Phitsanulok hospital for a post-mortem before cremation. The physical appearance of the body when returned to the family was distressful to say the least .There are other examples of similar circumstance, not just in Phetchabun province.

For starters, it was difficult to get Embassy staff to even consider there might be a problem.They told me it was not a requirement of the British authorities for post-mortems to be carried out on deceased nationals, and it was always up to the Thais (Police?) to decide.

However, they did agree to include this issue in their agenda for their next 'regular' discussion meeting with the Thai authorities, and said they would inform me of progress. This was in August 2019, and I'm still waiting!

I look out in the backyard and now I wonder if that really is a BBQ pit the GF is having built. ????

On 12/10/2020 at 5:38 PM, Lacessit said:

I want them scattered on a golf course, but Thais may freak out if it is done here.

Sure, whereas other golfers and golf course owners would welcome the new dust trap... I doubt you would want to have to wash your balls after it fell into human ash.. 

4 minutes ago, kenk24 said:

Sure, whereas other golfers and golf course owners would welcome the new dust trap... I doubt you would want to have to wash your balls after it fell into human ash.. 

It's always prudent to wash your balls after attempts at putting them into holes.

1 hour ago, tonray said:

I look out in the backyard and now I wonder if that really is a BBQ pit the GF is having built. ????

Nah your be fine.

Just worry,  if the family start keeping pigs LOL.

2 hours ago, tonray said:

It's always prudent to wash your balls after attempts at putting them into holes.

I was trying to be a little subtle with that guy... but i know he never gets anything I say... 

3 hours ago, tonray said:

I look out in the backyard and now I wonder if that really is a BBQ pit the GF is having built. ????

If there's a reason, or more for your fear, watch out for Donald and Daisy Duck!!!

3 hours ago, tonray said:

It's always prudent to wash your balls after attempts at putting them into holes.

If Donald Trump would have some, it wouldn't be as bad as it is right now. You can't wash what you don't have. 

 

   Let's play some golf.......

people plan their death ?

3 minutes ago, Techno Viking said:

people plan their death ?

I knew personally 2 in Belgium, that planned the exact day they wanted to die ( Euthanasia ).

1 minute ago, luckyluke said:

I knew personally 2 in Belgium, that planned the exact day they wanted to die ( Euthanasia ).

I haven't set a date but I do know how.

On 12/12/2020 at 9:19 AM, tonray said:

I look out in the backyard and now I wonder if that really is a BBQ pit the GF is having built. ????

Out of all people you should know it won't be her to do it...Be objective not naive...????

Edited December 14, 20205 yr by Solinvictus