May 1998
The Director - Features
State Department Help When Americans Die Overseas
A record number of Americans are traveling and living abroad. As a result, more U.S. citizens are dying overseas and their families back home are searching for guidance. Most of them want their loved one's remains returned to the United States, but have no idea of who they should contact.
Discover how the State Department assists families in this situation. State Department Help When Americans Die Overseas, by Karin King, explains how consular officers organize the transport of human remains overseas, and enumerates some of the complications that can arise due to the laws and customs of other countries. It also describes the funeral director's role in helping these families.
King is a consular officer, East Asia and Pacific Division, of the Office of American Citizen's Services at the U.S. Department of State.
