fantasea Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Hi all, Not a nice subject but need information for my elderly mother who is terminally ill and wants to make a last trip to Phuket. If she passes, can she be cremated and ashes returned to Australia, she doesn't want the hassle of us having to bring her body back home. This is theoretical as we hope it doesn't happen but have to be prepared, would appreciate any links or contacts for advise, have spoken to Thai embassy in Perth but they are not too helpful. Thanks, S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 No Pun intended, but which end do you anticipate having an issue with? The Thai end or the Aussie end? I sincerely hope your Mother proves uber resilient and enjoys her visit to Phuket ... . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danphuket Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 My father passed away in Phuket. That was a year ago. We hired a Thai company to do all the paperwork, cremation, rituals and so on. I am not sure about Australia, as I am Russian myself. In our case they offered several options: Transport body as it is to the country Cremate and send it Cremate and keep it here Everything was done by them. I think it is the best option for farangs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danphuket Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 By the way, it is best to arrange rituals yourself. We didn't like that part of the service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWMcMurray Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Yes it is definitely possible to do. As one poster mentioned, you can hire a company to do the funeral stuff on this end or if just wanting cremation and not the whole ceremony, the hospital can assist with cremation an a freight forwarder can ship the ashes for you. Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario2008 Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Per above, it would be no problem but it will require some paperwork to bring the remains back to Australia. I hope she prepared a will, also detailing what she want to do with the body. If she is really sick, get a docters certificate that she is fit to fly. Airlines can refuse to board her without it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasea Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 Thanks so much for the quick replies: I was originally more worried about the thai end, getting the cremation done and the ashes home, but will probably cop more grief from the aussie end. She has a will but in Australia so not sure if her funeral arrangements will apply in Thailand?? The doctor told her she can do whatever she wants, guess he is just thinking she should make the most of what time she has left but I will get a letter. Can anyone recommend a company or are they readily found online? I have a thai lawyer as I own property in Phuket but want to do some homework before I bother him. Thanks again, S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simple1 Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 OP: Contact the Australian Embassy Consular Section in BKK for advice on the required processes/legal formalities should your mother pass away in Thailand. An Australian Will will have no legal standing in Thailand. Hopefully you will read the following as a realistic and constructive suggestion. It may be useful for your mother to put in place a Living Will should she require medical attention whilst in Thailand; some info at URL below. Although it is a legal document in Thailand it is probable you will need to identify a hospital in Phuket that will act on the instructions expressed in the Living Will. http://www.thailawforum.com/database1/translation-into-english.html Best wishes for you and family… 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h90 Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 My father passed away in Phuket. That was a year ago. We hired a Thai company to do all the paperwork, cremation, rituals and so on. I am not sure about Australia, as I am Russian myself. In our case they offered several options: Transport body as it is to the country Cremate and send it Cremate and keep it here Everything was done by them. I think it is the best option for farangs. Interesting as my mother really doesn't like all these European cult. And she think it silly to visit the rotten bones all the time. She told me to burn her and put the ash into the sea...as she always loved the sea. Or put her just in the trash bin, because anyway it is not her it is just some ash. But things like that are difficult to impossible in Austria...So Thailand might be an option for her (hope she has another 30 years to think about it). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thanyaburi Mac Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Simple1 How about the Thai version of that Living Will?? Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekamaihouse Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Just be careful, if she is really ill/sick when returning to Oz, she may not be allowed to fly without medical supervision which was around GBP20K for an English friend of mine..He didn't make it and I arranged the cremation etc with some help from Thai friends... The bulkier bones etc from the cremation we took to the beach and his brother took the ashes home in his suitcase, nothing declared. Easier that way.. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasea Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 This is the reply I got from Australian Embassy in BKK, not as thorough an answer as I was expecting, but as she can't get travel insurance for any treatment she may require as it is a pre existing illness (and doesn't expect to either), I think I will call Immigration tomorrow, I really need to be aware of the legal side of things, it sounds too easy....... Thanks for your email and I do share your thoughts in hoping your Mum is fit to travel and if so, enjoys her holiday. If your Mum does decide to travel, she should take out travel insurance as this would also cover her for injury, or hospitalisation and flight rescheduling. If someone however dies overseas, then family appoint a local funeral agent who make the necessary arrangements. These arrangements might include, as you say, having a local cremation service and then the family can take ashes back to Australia. The Embassy and insurance companies can advise of local funeral service providers, should it be required. Best regards Amanda Spencer Second Secretary and Consul Australian Embassy 37 South Sathorn Road Bangkok 10120 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simple1 Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Simple1 How about the Thai version of that Living Will?? Mac OP: Hope you don't mind this discussion. Good point, only seen English language template versions online. Just in case, arrange to be translated into Thai & notorised, a bit more info from the site above. http://thailawonline.com/en/family/living-wills-in-thailand.html Regulation in Thai & English at: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/433055-living-wills-in-thailand-new-regulation/ : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diehard60 Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 You should check with your embassy. They should have all the documentaion needed and can assist you or atleast the US Embassy does that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thhMan Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 From what I heard... the furnaces are not hot enough for a proper cremation in Thailand so they need to smash away at some bones with a hammer.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benmart Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 From what I heard... the furnaces are not hot enough for a proper cremation in Thailand so they need to smash away at some bones with a hammer.... If that is the case for me when I go, smash away. When I die, I believe that the mortal package is used up, finished and ready for recycle By the way, who did you "hear" the hammer smashing bit from? Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lesleyclarkuk Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 A friend of ours died in Thailand - the local temple did the service & cremation, probably a lot cheaper too. I'm sure a Thai friend or your solicitor will help with the monks if you need it. The family wanted the ashes back in the UK so I brought them back with me in my hand luggage (having firstly checked inside the urn that it only contained bones & ashes!!). I telephoned the airline and they said discuss it at check-in, check-in wasn't interested and said to point it out at the scanners, which I did and they too were not interested (in fact due to Thai superstition wanted nothing to do with it at all). When I arrived in the UK I just walked through with it in my luggage. I don't think there are any issues with ashes, I felt happier with them in my hand luggage than risking them to baggage handling! I hope your mum has a lovely holiday and returns rejeuvenated! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luis888 Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 From what I heard... the furnaces are not hot enough for a proper cremation in Thailand so they need to smash away at some bones with a hammer.... That's strange to hear as I believe most Thais are cremated, or are their bones diffrent to farangs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrry Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 (edited) You must take into account the fact that if ill she will allmost certainly be taken to a private hospital. These hospitals have quite high charges and it is not impossible to get a bill of $50000 for just a few days stay. They will retain the body until paid in full. This also means that a death certificate will not be available until they are paid so nothing can be done with her australian estate. Edited January 6, 2014 by harrry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
godden Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 hope the old mum gets home on her own legs, bless her Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerard052 Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 I made my funeral arrangements back home in Canada about 6 years ago and I took an insurance from the funeral home. If I die anywhere away from home they will repat my body back home from anywhere in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasea Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share Posted January 6, 2014 Thankyou, yes we hope she makes it home on her own legs too. She has been to Phuket many times and has even spent time at Bkk-Phuket hospital for gastro and has been treated by a specialist there previously for back pain, so we know the procedure and she only claimed the gastro bill on travel insurance where she spent 2 days in hospital, the other one was off her own back and she paid by credit card, she is not a freeloader and is very proud. We have shortened her trip to 10 days now, just in case it's too much for her. We are in our villa for 2 months but at least we can fly home if she takes a turn for the worse, just got to keep fingers crossed. Shes a tough old girl 75 and won't go out without a fight lol, She still has 2-3 margheritas a day to put her to sleep! Just sad not knowing...she was only given one month 12 months ago but the chemo really took it's toll on her so she had to stop. Thanks for all you replies and sorry for my rant...but feeling a little more at ease now. Just want her to have her last holiday with good memories and without any unforseen nightmares. You only get one mum. S 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joboss Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Thankyou, yes we hope she makes it home on her own legs too. She has been to Phuket many times and has even spent time at Bkk-Phuket hospital for gastro and has been treated by a specialist there previously for back pain, so we know the procedure and she only claimed the gastro bill on travel insurance where she spent 2 days in hospital, the other one was off her own back and she paid by credit card, she is not a freeloader and is very proud. We have shortened her trip to 10 days now, just in case it's too much for her. We are in our villa for 2 months but at least we can fly home if she takes a turn for the worse, just got to keep fingers crossed. Shes a tough old girl 75 and won't go out without a fight lol, She still has 2-3 margheritas a day to put her to sleep! Just sad not knowing...she was only given one month 12 months ago but the chemo really took it's toll on her so she had to stop. Thanks for all you replies and sorry for my rant...but feeling a little more at ease now. Just want her to have her last holiday with good memories and without any unforseen nightmares. You only get one mum. S All good I think. Seems to be good advice from all. Thank you for opening the topic I would suggest you get a death certificate, and a copy translated to English. It may expedite the granting of probate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
recycler Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Maybe not the official procedure, but you can have a cremation ceremony at a temple in Thailand, collect the ashes an send it by DHL in a sample jar as a sample of for example "metal containing material" with a proforma invoice stating a value of 1$. Make sure it's packed in a box and taped so that if anything goes wrong nothing can get out of the box. Easy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khrab Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 From what I heard... the furnaces are not hot enough for a proper cremation in Thailand so they need to smash away at some bones with a hammer.... Nothing to do with temperature. Western crematories use bone mills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 Yes, this can be done and is relatively easy (unlike shipping bodies back home which is a lot of trouble and expensive). Embassy will provide a death certificate and also letter stating that you are traveling with ashes of a deceased person, at least US Embassy did when I was did this. There are some companies that will handle all the paperwork for you as well as arrange for the cremation - with or without ceremony as you desire. The place I dealt with, which was both very efficient and reasonable in cost compared to others, was Allison Monkhouse http://www.funeralrepatriation.com/contact Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 P.S. While dealing with her death is not hard to arrange the days leading up to it need to be considered, she is not going to be up and about and then just keel over. She will become weak and bedridden first, likely incontinent, etc - i.e. there will be a need for pretty constant nursing care. Need to consider how you will manage that. Palliative care is not very good in Thai hosps and hospitalization can be expensive as well. And if she goes into a Thai hospital you may have issues re getting them not to do things that are unnecessary and/or prolong her suffering, Thailand is way behind the times in this regard. Make sure she brings an ample supply of her pain meds with her as Thai doctors are very gun-shy of prescribing adequate analgesia. As these will presumably be narcotics should also carry a doctor's letter and make sure the meds are in labeled prescription bottles so no issues at customs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericthai Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 From what I heard... the furnaces are not hot enough for a proper cremation in Thailand so they need to smash away at some bones with a hammer.... That's strange to hear as I believe most Thais are cremated, or are their bones diffrent to farangs? Yes most Thai's are cremated. No difference between bones. As stated furnaces are not hot enough to burn everything to ash. Most of the time it's more like a bon fire. Sometimes it get's hot enough, sometimes it dont and you have some bones. Bones are usually buried at the temple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBK Posted January 6, 2014 Share Posted January 6, 2014 From what I heard... the furnaces are not hot enough for a proper cremation in Thailand so they need to smash away at some bones with a hammer....If that is the case for me when I go, smash away. When I die, I believe that the mortal package is used up, finished and ready for recycleBy the way, who did you "hear" the hammer smashing bit from? Cheers. Didn't hear, I have seen. Many times, albeit after the rites of passage. Total practicality is practised here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasea Posted January 7, 2014 Author Share Posted January 7, 2014 Thanks Sheryl, Yes we are aware she won't go suddenly, as soon as she starts going yellow ( it's breast cancer gone to the liver) we will know to get her to hospital (most preferably at home in Aus.) I have to say here though that I have the utmost respect for the doctors and specialists at Bkk-Phuket Hospital, yes you will pay if you need to go there if you don't have travel insurance but the service and care we have received there is second to none. And I can say this having gone there every second day for 2 weeks for a frozen shoulder treatment which Perth doctors couldn't help me with and I would have had to wait 6 weeks for an MRI. I was in excrutiating pain and couldn't lift my arm, sleep on it, or even walk properly. I was crawling on the floor in pain before I went to hospital to see a doctor, they sent me straight to a neurologist. In half a day I had had an MRI, ultrasound, treatment, blood tests and they even threw in a mammogram ( at my request). I paid under $1000 AU but I would have waited months for all that back home! That included the 12 treatments I received at physio as well and all follow up visits. I can even email the specialist direct if I need to and continue my treatment if needed. Mums experience with her 2 day stay was the best care she has ever received she said. The best was when she went for her colonoscopy, the nurse said 'doctor is at lunch, we will go get him for you now'. That would be unheard of back home, they would make you wait and wait. The pain treatment mum got for her back was cutting edge, so much so that her doctor back home couldn't beleive she had it. It has now since become available in Australia. I hear lots of bad stuff about Thailand and when you live here you get to see the 'other side' and some of it is not so good after all but at the end of the day it's a place we call our second home ( 2 months Phuket and 2 months back home atm) and it is and always will be special to us and obviously to mum too, thats why she wants to spend her last holiday there. S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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