Guidelines for Foreign-related Aftermath Service Procedures for Chinese Citizens Who Pass Away Overseas

When a loved one passes away unfortunately overseas, family members in China often face practical difficulties such as language barriers, unclear procedures, and challenges in cross-border coordination. As a global expert in funeral coordination solutions, Air Bridge specializes in international transportation services for remains and ashes. Relying on a global response network, a professional team, and legal and compliant standard operating mechanisms, we provide Chinese citizens with one-stop, fully entrustable cross-border agency services.With our professional service system, we escort the dignified return of your loved ones, allowing family members to entrust with peace of mind.

Full-process service system: Four stages · Eleven nodes

I. Emergency Response Phase

Quick Connection · File Creation and Response 01. Contact Air Bridge Family members or employers provide basic information (name, nationality, country of residence, brief details of death, etc.) via phone, WeChat, email, etc. We immediately create a file and initiate the service. 02. Activate Overseas Response Mechanism Assign a dedicated coordinator to intervene and quickly contact local cooperative institutions for handling. Provide 7×24 hour round-the-clock service. 03. Remote Authorization by Family Members We provide standard entrustment templates, supporting remote paper-based or electronic signing to achieve full entrustment, with Air Bridge coordinating and executing the entire process.

II. Overseas Affairs Handling Phase Document Processing · Full Agency for Remains Handling 04. Verify Death Information and Initial Collection of Documents Coordinate with local hospitals, police, and forensic authorities to obtain preliminary death data and the deceased's documents (such as passport, visa, etc.). 05. Contact Chinese Embassies and Consulates Abroad Assist in completing the official registration with embassies or consulates, and handle documents required for the repatriation of remains/ashes; in case of special death incidents, assist in cooperating with subsequent investigation procedures. 06. Official Death Certificate and Authentication Apply for the local official death certificate, and complete procedures such as translation, notarization, Hague Apostille, or consular legalization to ensure its legal validity in China. 07. Arrange Remains or Ashes Handling Coordinate the handling method according to the family's wishes: Ashes transportation: Complete cremation procedures, and obtain the cremation certificate and compliant ashes container. Remains transportation: Complete embalming, sealed casketing, and moisture-proof protection to ensure compliance with international air transportation standards.

III. Cross-border Transportation and Entry Coordination Phase

Complete Materials · Smooth Customs Clearance 08. Flight Arrangement and Exit Documentation Arrange flights that meet specifications based on the destination, and organize exit materials, including necessary documents such as the *Embalming Certificate* and *Repatriation Consent Letter*. 09. Coordination and Handling at Entry Port Air Bridge will coordinate in advance with customs, border control, and quarantine clearance procedures at the arrival port, and assist in issuing materials such as the *Entry Notification Letter* and *Local Receipt Letter*. For entry via major port airports such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Kunming, the relevant customs clearance procedures will be jointly advanced by our team to achieve rapid customs clearance with simplified procedures.

IV. Domestic Landing and Information Synchronization Phase Local Receipt · Full-process Visualization 10. Coordinate with Local Funeral Parlors We will contact and make appointments with county/district-level funeral parlors in the landing city on behalf of the family, handle the receipt confirmation letter, and arrange professional transfer vehicles to complete the handover of remains/ashes at the airport. 11. Synchronized Feedback of Information to Family Members The entire process is dynamically visible and updated in real time. Family members can stay informed of the progress at each node through their dedicated contact person, and wait peacefully for their loved ones to return.

Service Features · Core Advantages

Global Funeral Coordination Solutions Expert

Air Bridge boasts a service network covering five continents. Having handled cases of remains and ashes transportation from Europe, America, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, and special regions, it is equipped with the capability to handle third-country transfers in special environments and respond to complex situations.

Focus on Cross-border Transportation of Remains and Ashes

Whether it is the transportation of remains or ashes, we handle everything in accordance with international transportation standards. Every link adheres to the principles of rigorous operation and respect for the deceased, ensuring legal compliance, clear procedures, safety, and orderliness.

Convenient Customs Clearance at Entry Ports

Air Bridge is familiar with the customs clearance mechanisms of major airports in China and has established communication mechanisms with local civil affairs, quarantine, and border control departments. It assists in handling receipt letters from various regions (including county-level funeral parlors), simplifying the customs clearance process and improving clearance efficiency.

Full Entrustment by Family Members · Transparent and Synchronized Information

Only one remote authorization is required, and Air Bridge will act as the full agent for the rest of the affairs. A dedicated coordinator will regularly feedback the progress to ensure that family members are informed in a timely manner, with less need to run around and no information blind spots.

One-click Assistance · Worry-free Cross-border ServicesNo matter where the loved one is, Air Bridge will activate the response mechanism immediately to escort them home. At every step, Air Bridge will accompany the family through this darkest moment with professional, respectful, and standardized service standards.

One-click Assistance · Worry-free Cross-border Services

No matter where the loved one is, Air Bridge will activate the response mechanism immediately to escort them home. At every step, Air Bridge will accompany the family through this darkest moment with professional, respectful, and standardized service standards.