10/10/2025
Shelly and I have had the honor of helping Pastor Julius with services and transportation for his wife, Carol. In my 30 years of being in this profession, I have never assisted a family with an international shipping for burial. We have had many people ask about the process and so I thought I would share. Once a death occurs, we have to provide many documents. Those include an original birth certificate, certified death certificate, original passport, letter stating of a non-contagious death, letter stating how the deceased was prepared for burial, transit permits, and a letter requesting acceptance from the Embassy in Washington DC. Approval can take up to three weeks. We have to provide a specific casket as well as a shipping container. All of the above documents are overnighted via FedEx to the Embassy. Once they approve, they send them back to the funeral home. After the receiving of the documents, we are then allowed to schedule the airline arrangements. We are so fortunate to have a company in Ohio that assists funeral homes with those arrangements. Once they review the documents, they start the process of scheduling the flights. The airlines charges are generally $4,000 to $5,000 just for the flights from the United States to a foreign destination. To get a confirmation for flights, it is generally a 48 to 72-hour waiting period. Once we receive the confirmation, we then transport to the closest international airport, which is Kansas City. With times changes, it is usually three days before the loved one arrives to the destination. I never realized how much was required for this, and it has been a learning experience and a blessing as well.
Shelly and I’s hearts have been overwhelmed with the kindness this community has shown to Pastor Julius during this trying time. We had one gracious couple come forward and pay for the airline expenses and so many have sent donations to offset the expenses. Any overage will be given to Pastor for other expenses they have endured through Carol’s sickness.
Please continue your prayers for Julius and his precious family. Today at 3:00 P.M., we will be celebrating Carol’s life at the First United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. They will leave for Kenya early next week and will be there when their precious wife and mother arrives home.
