My father passed away today. Is there any chance of quickly getting my Thai wife a visa to the USA?

[jakow]

My father recently retired in Thailand, but sadly he passed away today. We're figuring out how to go about sending his remains back to the USA for the funeral. I want my wife (who is Thai) to come for the funeral, and then our children could also come. Is there any special type of visa she could get or any way of getting her a visa in time?

[bkk6060]

Never heard of such a Visa the U.S. embassy seems to careless about these type of situations.

[lopburi3]

30 minutes ago, jakow said:

My father recently retired in Thailand, but sadly he passed away today. We're figuring out how to go about sending his remains back to the USA for the funeral. I want my wife (who is Thai) to come for the funeral, and then our children could also come. Is there any special type of visa she could get or any way of getting her a visa in time?

Believe you should consider cremation here with normal short service and have wife attend here and then transport ash to USA for further service if indicated for other family members.  Should be much less costly and allow all to attend services.

[jakow]

4 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Believe you should consider cremation here with normal short service and have wife attend here and then transport ash to USA for further service if indicated for other family members.  Should be much less costly and allow all to attend services.

Thank you. That's a good idea.

[riclag]

Emergency visa for immediate family.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/emergencies.html
 

Good luck 

sorry for you loss

[lopburi3]

3 minutes ago, riclag said:

Emergency visa for immediate family.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/emergencies.html
 

Good luck 

sorry for you loss

That is for US Citizens to obtain emergency passport for travel - not for visas.

[KhunLA]

4 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Believe you should consider cremation here with normal short service and have wife attend here and then transport ash to USA for further service if indicated for other family members.  Should be much less costly and allow all to attend services.

@jakow  condolences ..

... agree w/L3, why go through the hassle (& expense), of transporting father and probably not getting visa for your immediate family.   Anyone in states, can easily come here.

 

Since he chose to retire here, guessing not much interested him, along with folks there, enough to stay.

 

Remember when my mother passed in USA, cancer, so no surprise, and during the 3 months I was there, nobody by my brothers tended to her, or visited.   Lived at my house, that I gave to my brother when I left, 3 yrs prior, and he asked what about a viewing & funeral.  I simply said 'for who ?'.   And she'd be pissed if we wasted money on a depressing departure party she didn't attend.

 

So easy, private & inexpensive cremation, and ashes taken to the surf, that she wanted, near where she worked last and longest job - Trump Casino, AC, NJ ... 

 

Just have something here, as that's where he chose to finish out his time 👍

[DrJack54]

17 minutes ago, jakow said:

Thank you. That's a good idea.

Excellent suggestions from @lopburi3 and @KhunLA

Trust me coming from an old bloke (me) ...I have made it clear to my family in Oz that I want zero fuss and the most easy option for family.

Cremation in Thailand and remains remain here.

 

In Thailand you can deal with Temple and imo even repatriation of remains is optional. 

[jakow]

57 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Excellent suggestions from @lopburi3 and @KhunLA

Trust me coming from an old bloke (me) ...I have made it clear to my family in Oz that I want zero fuss and the most easy option for family.

Cremation in Thailand and remains remain here.

 

In Thailand you can deal with Temple and imo even repatriation of remains is optional. 

It would be the same for me. Hell, I wouldn't mind if they just dumped me in the nearest bin and got on with it. However my dad had only visited twice before and only moved here two months ago to try out retirement in Thailand. I'm still waiting for family to wake up to break the news and then I can see what they think, but I'm almost certain they'll want to hold a ceremony stateside. I'm in favor of just sending the cremated remains, but I'm not going to make that decision on my own.

[DrJack54]

17 minutes ago, jakow said:

It would be the same for me. Hell, I wouldn't mind if they just dumped me in the nearest bin and got on with it. However my dad had only visited twice before and only moved here two months ago to try out retirement in Thailand. I'm still waiting for family to wake up to break the news and then I can see what they think, but I'm almost certain they'll want to hold a ceremony stateside. I'm in favor of just sending the cremated remains, but I'm not going to make that decision on my own.

Nice post buddy.

Hope you can work out what best all round for your family.

At very least a cremation in Thailand and repatriation is one option. 

 

[GinBoy2]

Sorry, simple answer to the question is No

[V8M8]

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Excellent suggestions from @lopburi3 and @KhunLA

Trust me coming from an old bloke (me) ...I have made it clear to my family in Oz that I want zero fuss and the most easy option for family.

Cremation in Thailand and remains remain here.

 

In Thailand you can deal with Temple and imo even repatriation of remains is optional. 

Agree Jack but I wouldn't even bother with remains repatriation. There are no reasons that I can think of, to bother. Seen too much blood shed and bodies with absolute hopelessness to think that giving rest to a poor soul even matters.

[JensenZ]

2 hours ago, jakow said:

It would be the same for me. Hell, I wouldn't mind if they just dumped me in the nearest bin and got on with it. However my dad had only visited twice before and only moved here two months ago to try out retirement in Thailand. I'm still waiting for family to wake up to break the news and then I can see what they think, but I'm almost certain they'll want to hold a ceremony stateside. I'm in favor of just sending the cremated remains, but I'm not going to make that decision on my own.

Why are you jumping through all the hoops? If any of your extended family members stateside want to attend a funeral, they could travel to Thailand.

 

My mother died last December. I didn't travel at all, just watched the funeral online... we're not a close family, and all this fuss over ashes and corpses is not my thing. Like you, I wouldn't care what they did to my body when I'm gone. If your family stateside wants to have a funeral for ashes, you can have them shipped to the US. This would be the cheapest option for everyone.

 

Disposition of Remains Report: Bangkok

[Tropicalevo]

I have answered some of the steps to go through in your other thread.

If your wife does get a visa and go to the USA, tell the airline the reason why.

The airlines are usually very sympathetic in these case.

(My F-I-L passed away whilst visiting us. His widow et al were very well looked after by the airline.)

[Wrwest]

17 hours ago, KhunLA said:

@jakow  condolences ..

... agree w/L3, why go through the hassle (& expense), of transporting father and probably not getting visa for your immediate family.   Anyone in states, can easily come here.

 

Since he chose to retire here, guessing not much interested him, along with folks there, enough to stay.

 

Remember when my mother passed in USA, cancer, so no surprise, and during the 3 months I was there, nobody by my brothers tended to her, or visited.   Lived at my house, that I gave to my brother when I left, 3 yrs prior, and he asked what about a viewing & funeral.  I simply said 'for who ?'.   And she'd be pissed if we wasted money on a depressing departure party she didn't attend.

 

So easy, private & inexpensive cremation, and ashes taken to the surf, that she wanted, near where she worked last and longest job - Trump Casino, AC, NJ ... 

 

Just have something here, as that's where he chose to finish out his time 👍

I agree with your assessment, however, I would not judge that not much interested him enough to stay in his own country. I have joined millions of other working middle class Americans who have been “outpriced” at home.that was a major reason for leaving for a lower cost country. Again, I agree with you, my time is up and my Thai Wife and Stepdaughter have been told to cremate me with the bare minimum of expense and put the ashes in the Mae Ping. They will email my Sons informing them of my passing and getting Death Certificates to them. My DNA has been traced back eons and my Grandsons, I hope, will pass them forward.

[scorecard]

16 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Excellent suggestions from @lopburi3 and @KhunLA

Trust me coming from an old bloke (me) ...I have made it clear to my family in Oz that I want zero fuss and the most easy option for family.

Cremation in Thailand and remains remain here.

 

In Thailand you can deal with Temple and imo even repatriation of remains is optional. 

 

I have no remaining family in Oz. My Thai adult son here and his Thai wife (I live with them) are well aware after a couple of long and detailed conversations:

 

- They should not make any effort to try to contact anybody (family or old friends) in Australia to inform them.

- They must find a local low cost cremation facility for the burning.

- They take the ashes home and hide them, don't tell other family members (why? because an old interfering aunt has already insisted that when I die she is entitled to 50% of my ashes to look for lucky numbers. My son wants all my ashes at his home, that's it.)

- There will not be any party whatever.

- If outer family complain about this <and they will> my son will tell them 'Dad's instruction was no party and low cost cremation to save as much as possible for the education of my 4 Thai grand children, no further discussion'. 

 

My son can handle this easily he will push back strongly if needed. He's already told his wife's nasty brother the above and told him 'you organize any party when dad dies and you pay for it'. 

[crazykopite]

Firstly condolences recently a friend of mine passed the cost of having his remains returned to the U.K. from Thailand was mind blowing for a start the casket had to be zinc lined . I suggest you have your paps cremated here in Thailand and the ashes sent to the USA for a memorial service it’s still an expense but a lot cheaper check with the US Embassy for details for the U.K. we had to provide the deceased passport , death certificate and cremation certificate then find a company to arrange collection and transportation. I’ve already made my instructions known cremation in the Temple followed by ashes/ bones into the sea in front of my villa cost no more than 25,000 baht 

[helloagain]

18 hours ago, jakow said:

My father recently retired in Thailand, but sadly he passed away today. We're figuring out how to go about sending his remains back to the USA for the funeral. I want my wife (who is Thai) to come for the funeral, and then our children could also come. Is there any special type of visa she could get or any way of getting her a visa in time?

For God's sake ask your embassy. My mother died in UK I got my thai wife's visa straight away. 

[Kwaibill]

18 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Never heard of such a Visa the U.S. embassy seems to careless about these type of situations.

Not up to the embassy; all up to NCIS. Almost impossible to deal with in my experience up until now. Their “ gatekeeper”, ID ME, is the stumbling block for

me.

 The embassy will help with death certificates. Go to their website and there is a section detailing the procedure.
I think I recall reading an article there about arranging funerals here, too. Different situation I know, but the certs still needed in either case. I know I left instructions for my wife on how to go about contacting the embassy for their part.

Condolences and good luck.

[georgegeorgia]

19 hours ago, jakow said:

My father recently retired in Thailand, but sadly he passed away today. We're figuring out how to go about sending his remains back to the USA for the funeral. I want my wife (who is Thai) to come for the funeral, and then our children could also come. Is there any special type of visa she could get or any way of getting her a visa in time?

Condolences to you at this time 🙏

[snooky]

Good luck in using the many suggestions here and R.I.P. to your father

 

Slightly off topic but for those of you not interested in what happens to you after you pass, why not donate your body to a teaching hospital?  I had mine set up with Chulalongkorn Hospital where they will use your body for their medical students, you can chose to send the ashes to someone or they will dispose of them after a small ceremony.

 

Do good for future generatuons and avoid all the hassle!

[georgegeorgia]

1 hour ago, scorecard said:

 

I have no remaining family in Oz. My Thai adult son here and his Thai wife (I live with them) are well aware after a couple of long and detailed conversations:

 

- They should not make any effort to try to contact anybody (family or old friends) in Australia to inform them.

- They must find a local low cost cremation facility for the burning.

- They take the ashes home and hide them, don't tell other family members (why? because an old interfering aunt has already insisted that when I die she is entitled to 50% of my ashes to look for lucky numbers. My son wants all my ashes at his home, that's it.)

- There will not be any party whatever.

- If outer family complain about this <and they will> my son will tell them 'Dad's instruction was no party and low cost cremation to save as much as possible for the education of my 4 Thai grand children, no further discussion'. 

 

My son can handle this easily he will push back strongly if needed. He's already told his wife's nasty brother the above and told him 'you organize any party when dad dies and you pay for it'. 

Probably the Will will be more important to them

But as you never worked a day in your life.....

[charleskerins]

17 hours ago, jakow said:

It would be the same for me. Hell, I wouldn't mind if they just dumped me in the nearest bin and got on with it. However my dad had only visited twice before and only moved here two months ago to try out retirement in Thailand. I'm still waiting for family to wake up to break the news and then I can see what they think, but I'm almost certain they'll want to hold a ceremony stateside. I'm in favor of just sending the cremated remains, but I'm not going to make that decision on my own.

Sorry for your loss and sorry for the comments you had to endure on here from some who instead of answering your question think it's their place to advise you what is best for your family . So this isn't advice but a thought (IF possible)  -you could arrange for the funeral service in the states and also in Thailand to Zoom /line /whats ap  the proceedings  back to the other country so that everyone has the opportunity to view both.  Good Luck

Can I get an emergency visa to the US for a death in the family?

You can qualify for an emergency US visa appointment to attend the funeral of an immediate family member in the United States. The Department of State only recognizes parents, siblings, children, grandparents, and grandchildren as immediate family members. Provide proof of family relations and a letter from the funeral director.

Sources

• [1] https://tr.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/emergency-requests/

 

 

[Sheryl]

15 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

Sorry, simple answer to the question is No

Unfortunately this is true.

 

A service here in Thailand followed by cremation (possibly a few close relatives from US could fly in for it?) and then you travel alone back to US with the cremation remains for a fuller service is probably best option.

 

 

[lanng khao]

1 hour ago, crazykopite said:

Firstly condolences recently a friend of mine passed the cost of having his remains returned to the U.K. from Thailand was mind blowing for a start the casket had to be zinc lined . I suggest you have your paps cremated here in Thailand and the ashes sent to the USA for a memorial service it’s still an expense but a lot cheaper check with the US Embassy for details for the U.K. we had to provide the deceased passport , death certificate and cremation certificate then find a company to arrange collection and transportation. I’ve already made my instructions known cremation in the Temple followed by ashes/ bones into the sea in front of my villa cost no more than 25,000 baht 

Give them to me il go and sprinkle them  on goodison park...

[brianthainess]

21 hours ago, jakow said:

My father recently retired in Thailand, but sadly he passed away today. We're figuring out how to go about sending his remains back to the USA for the funeral. I want my wife (who is Thai) to come for the funeral, and then our children could also come. Is there any special type of visa she could get or any way of getting her a visa in time?

Sorry to hear of your loss, have they sent his remains to BKK for autopsy? This company will sort out all the paperwork for sending the remains home/death cert/ and registering the death in the Amphur where he lived, and releasing his body I used them here on the death of a friend, excellent company very professional. English spoken and keep contact all through. Sorry I can only suggest contacting your Embassy about the Visa. 

      Where it says other I put to return body to our local Wat. we organized the cremation.

 

 

 

[bamboozled]

Hugs, brother. Good luck with this.

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

Probably the Will will be more important to them

But as you never worked a day in your life.....

 

1. My son has my will, he inherits everything.

2. 'Never worked a day in your life'... where does that come from? In reality not true at all.

[swm59nj]

Sorry for your loss.  The OP is asking for specific information.  Not opinions of what the OP family thinks.  Or judge what the OP father would have wanted 

In one of the posts it gives you a link to the United States Embassy rules for emergency visas.  You can try that route. 
My suggestion is to have him cremated in Thailand.  Have a family member take an emergency flight to get the urn containing the remains and transport it back with them.  You can discuss this with the specific  airline. And of course the Embassy. 
Another option is.  Contact DHL or Fed Ex and see about shipping the urn with remains to your location. I know this could be a risk,  but just another option.  Personally I would rather have a family member personally carry it back. 
Best of luck.  I’m sure everything will work out . 
I just noticed you have another post regarding this issue.  About actually shipping the body back.  
I suggest you contact the United States Embassy for assistance.  This way you can discuss all your options.  And of course the airline you are thinking of  using if the body will be transported. 

 

[Liverpool Lou]

On 12/17/2023 at 7:55 PM, riclag said:

Emergency visa for immediate family.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/emergencies.html

The link indicates that is how to get a passport in emergencies to travel outside the US, not a visa for foreigners to enter the US..