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Jean

Jan 14, 2006, 1:12 PM

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Dying In Mexico

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Over in another Mexican forum someone posted about the International Welcome Home Society. It seems they basically take care of everything if you or a partner dies in Mexico. Has anyone heard of this organization or have any first hand info about it. It's something I never thought about but what does happen if you die while in Mexico?

http://www.retirementshome.com/?page_id=79v

What if you are both killed in a car accident? What happens to pets etc? Where would your family begin and I can only imagine the legal hurdles in Mexico.

Jean
Retirement Communities
http://www.retirecommunities.com

Don

Jan 14, 2006, 1:48 PM

Post #2 of 37 (2394 views)

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Re: [Jean] Dying In Mexico

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We have wills in the U.S. and in Mexico. Our close family in Mexico and our chidren in the U.S. know of the wills. Originals are kept in a Safe Deposit Box in the U.S. with access for our children. Certified copies of the Mexican wills are also kept in Mexico.

jennifer rose

Jan 14, 2006, 1:57 PM

Post #3 of 37 (2386 views)

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Re: [Jean] Dying In Mexico

What happens when someone dies in Mexico is generally almost the same as if someone dies in Peoria. Almost without fail, the decedent loses all cognitive functions, ceases to respire, and remains immobile for an extended period of time. Believe it or not, thousands of Mexicans die every year. The demise of a foreigner in Mexico is really nothing special.

I've had family members living in Mexico reach their personal expiration date in this country, and I've been on the periphery of the demises of friends, both foreigner and Mexican, living in this country. And, really, the legal hurdles that seem to frighten you just aren't there. Guess what? The same thing happens right here in Mexico in the event of a couple's simultaneous death. The same thing happens to decedents' pets in Mexico that happens to them in Canada or the US or even Burkina Faso.

I read the advertisement for the International Welcome Home Society, http://www.lifeconnectionsllc.com/travel/, you've mentioned. The copy contained in the URL you provided is nothing more than an advertisement intended to scare folks. Let's see -- a $325 one-time benefit pays if you die 100 miles away from your legal residence. If you die within 100 miles, it pays nothing. Most people manage to die within 100 miles of their legal residence. Interestingly, on some sites, it reduces that 100 mile away to 100 km. Maybe the company doesn't understand the metric system. $325 would pay roughly the price of half a cremation in Mexico. The company claims that it's operating without a license, claiming it's offering a service and not a insurance benefit. That means it could go out of business a week after you've paid that lifetime fee of $325, leaving you, uh, holding the bag when a loved one expires. This company's service really didn't impress me.

Now, of course, there are going to be those who'll share horror stories about their neighbor's first cousin's best friend's aunt who died in Ajijic, and those who've experienced nothing remarkable over a loved one's death will remain silent, because there's really nothing much to say.

In the Lake Chapala and San Miguel de Allende exist societies formed for the benefit of foreigners who're concerned about making those funeral arrangements. In the rest of the country, most foreigners get along without the aid of organizations, plans and societies like that, just as most Mexicans do. And, BTW, many Mexican funeral homes offer prepaid plans, just like they do up in your Home Country.

Jean

Jan 14, 2006, 2:40 PM

Post #4 of 37 (2377 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Dying In Mexico

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Thanks Jennifer. You are so good at reading the fine print. You're right though about them going out of business and "literally" holding the bad of ashes LOL. I think I will stick with my will and the Lake Chapala Society.

Jean
Retirement Communities
http://www.retirecommunities.com

Bubba

Jan 14, 2006, 3:57 PM

Post #5 of 37 (2354 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Dying In Mexico

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It seems to me that joining the Lake Chapala Society is the solution. Most members have "...(lost) cognitive function, (ceased) to respire and (remained) immobile for an extended period of time." and it only costs them $30US a year.

Thanks for that clear definition, Jennifer.

CCarol

Jan 14, 2006, 4:30 PM

Post #6 of 37 (2337 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Dying In Mexico

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I would suppose if a person wanted to be shipped back "home" there would be arrangements made for that. I wonder how that would work? I'm sure people die all over the world each day who are away from where they would like to buried. Can't be too hard. One thing for sure, if I were the one to die, I don't think it would matter too much to me how it all worked out....LOL. But for the folks having to deal with it...that's another story.
Gosh, I STILL want to move there. My DH would look at this and say "that's it, we're not going."

Carol

jennifer rose

Jan 14, 2006, 4:46 PM

Post #7 of 37 (2333 views)

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Re: [CCarol] Dying In Mexico

Yes, corpses can make that final trip to the Otro Lado. By airplane, even. And there most definitely are procedures in place for the repatriation of human remains.

Stay tuned, because a story about how to make that trip to the final frontier will appear in an upcoming issue of MexicoConnect's magazine.

Rolly

Jan 14, 2006, 7:34 PM

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Re: [jennifer rose] Dying In Mexico

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I plan to stay right here in Lerdo. I've already bought my burial plot. I'm going to have my headstone made as soon as I decide what I want to put on it. I believe in planning ahead.

Rolly Pirate

jacpowell

Jan 14, 2006, 7:43 PM

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Re: [CCarol] Dying In Mexico

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Because we've had some scary health issues in the past, we are concerned about having to be shipped back, one or both of us. We often get travel insurance, just for the heck of it, and there is a provision for medical evacuation or body shipment in many policies. My question would be, if I or my husband wanted to be cremated prior to shipment, are crematoria easily available in Mexico?

Cynthia7

Jan 14, 2006, 7:44 PM

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Re: [jacpowell] Dying In Mexico

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Around San Miguel it costs about $600 to be cremated.

jennifer rose

Jan 14, 2006, 8:47 PM

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Re: [jacpowell] Dying In Mexico

Yes, crematoria are present in major cities in Mexico.

julian3345

Jan 14, 2006, 9:40 PM

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Re: [jacpowell] Dying In Mexico

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My 91 year old mother who was living with me here in Jerez, Zacatecas died at home just a year ago. Her death was certified by a local doctor and entered into the vital statistics at the Presidencia of our town. These documents were sent to the US Consulate in Monterrey whose personnel were very helpful and kind. They notify Social Security, and other official entities and provide the family with up to 20 copies of the official notice of death at no cost. My mother's wish was to be cremated and she reposes now in a nice alabaster box in my study surrounded by family photos. The consulate will provide me with a transfer document if/when we choose to take the remains to the USA.

My Mexican friends guided me through the entire event, never leaving me alone and it was completely tranquil and dignified. The total cost for everything including the Drs house call and certification of death, transport to the sala de velacion, cost of the sala de velacion, rental of a casket, cremation, transportation to Zacatecas (city) for cremation, purchase of urn, documentation, etc was under $1200. Many of these charges were optional and reflect choices we made, so this probably could be done for less than half that amount.

I make it a habit to carry a note in my purse and in a pocket when I travel which tells who is to be notified locally in case of accident etc; those people, in turn, have my notarized instructions about what else to do. Joan

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Jan 14, 2006, 10:06 PM

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Re: [Rolly] Dying In Mexico

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There are some of us that have no one to "beholden" too and so have no concern of what happens to us upon death. With no will and last testament, what will the Mexican government do with us?? Personally, as far as I am concerned, they can plant me under one of those plants they use to make Tequila. But beware, that will probably be 300 proof Tequila when harvested and distilled.
Getting older and still not down here.

carlw

Jan 16, 2006, 12:36 PM

Post #14 of 37 (2161 views)

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Re: [CCarol] Dying In Mexico

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The same problem exists for undocumented Mexicans in USA who are murdered, die in accidents, are crushed in constructions sites, fall from roofs, etc., and from reading the Dallas newspaper, there are many. Ofttimes, they have no relative here to make arrangements and someone from the family comes here from Mexico to do that and return them home. It is estimated that about about half are transported back to Mexico in private autos or trucks by the family, since flying them is cost prohibitive. Cremation for them does not seem to be a much chosen option.

Georgia

Jan 17, 2006, 7:07 AM

Post #15 of 37 (2059 views)

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Re: [Jean] Dying In Mexico: Role of the Consulate and your Mexican driver's license

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Just a piece of information: when an American citizen dies abroad, it is the responsibility of the local American consul to notify the family, arrange for the repatriation of the remains (at the expense of the family of the deceased), secure the person's effects, issue death certificates, cancel the passport, etc. of the deceased. If family members are present, most of these duties can be assumed by the family. Additionally, if you have a Mexican driver's license, they provide for you to list a local contact person's phone number right on the license. That individual should have the basic information needed about you to get the ball rolling should you die: who to contact, how to secure your property, pay your help, etc.

By the way, I wouldn't recommend leaving all the assigned duties of the American consul in their hands: the State Department is generally worse than horrible at handling these details: I've been through this twice with them and give them failing grades. Perhaps they manage from time to time, but that would be because they have the rare competent personnel to do the job. Strictly luck of the draw.

julian3345

Jan 17, 2006, 7:12 AM

Post #16 of 37 (2056 views)

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Re: [Georgia] Dying In Mexico: Role of the Consulate and your Mexican driver's license

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I have no complaints at all about the handling of these official end-of-life notifications, etc by the US Consulate in Monterrey, but my mother's situation was not complicated. Joan

alex .

Jan 17, 2006, 12:42 PM

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Re: [ronpic] Dying In Mexico

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Ron Pickering W3FJW

Jan 17, 2006, 4:25 PM

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Re: [alex .] Dying In Mexico

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See the one in left of center background?? Mine will be a lot larger than that one.
That's quite an antenna on that car
Getting older and still not down here.

cristalhombre

Jan 17, 2006, 9:32 PM

Post #19 of 37 (1889 views)

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Re: [Jean] Dying In Mexico

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I would imagine that JR will lock this post quicker than a nano-second, but I am going to add it anyway.......since the topic is death.

I just want to thank the US Supreme Court for their "educated" ruling (6 to 3) today to overturn the former Attorney General Ashcroft's attempt to bring criminal charges in Oregon's Death with Dignity Act.

It will be interesting how the White House, who supports states rights and individual rights, talks around this black-eye...................ahhhh the "spin continues". Why shouldn't an individual with terminal illness (less than 6 months to live) have the ability to consult with their physicians (2 req'd) and decide together if this route makes better sense than unnecessary suffering and extended costs for end of life care for the family. I certainly want this option someday!

Ironically, this former AG from Missouri lost his senate seat to a dead guy........NO KIDDING. The democratic opponent died a couple of weeks before the election and Ashcroft was still defeated..........by a dead guy. tooo funny! He was later appointed to US Attorney General by GWB.

Sorry to drift back home with this IMPORTANT death related issue.......now you can all continue to chat about dying in MX.

"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST...."

jennifer rose

Jan 17, 2006, 9:35 PM

Post #20 of 37 (1889 views)

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Re: [cristalhombre] Dying In Mexico

I'm not going to lock this thread, at least right now, but there will be NO discussion about the SCOTUS ruling, Oregon's Death with Dignity Act or anything which does not directly relate to the topic at hand. Now, back to the regularly scheduled programming.....about dying in Mexico.

(This post was edited by jennifer rose on Jan 17, 2006, 9:35 PM)

macmember

Jan 17, 2006, 11:10 PM

Post #21 of 37 (1876 views)

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Re: [carlw] Dying In Mexico

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I am curious. How do you get a dead body accross the border in a private auto or truck? Do you just let them lay there and tell the guards they are drunk or asleep? I just can't picture how this would work. I don't think a casket would fit in a car and have never seen one in the back of a pickup.

Pardon me if this comes across twice, but my cat jumped on the keyboard before I finished the first one and it went into cyberspace.

Beverly

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Jan 17, 2006, 11:42 PM

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Re: [macmember] Dying In Mexico

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Duct tape some antlers to their heads and throw them up over the fender.
Getting older and still not down here.

NEOhio1

Jan 18, 2006, 3:39 AM

Post #23 of 37 (1864 views)

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Re: [jennifer rose] Dying In Mexico

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Are autopsies a usual procedure Lakeside?

If not how are deaths determined to be natural versus suspicious if age is the only obvious reason?

mrchuck

Jan 18, 2006, 5:29 AM

Post #24 of 37 (1853 views)

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Re: [NEOhio1] Dying In Mexico

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Well, I still like the dead grandmother who was wrapped in a carpet, put on the roof rack of their station wagon, and being driven back to the USA non-stop. But this grieving family stopped at a restaurant in Ensenada for a bite to eat, and when they came out, their car( with grandmother on the roof rack) had been stolen!! Gone,,,,car and grandmother on top!!!,,, and nothing was ever found again.
Now that is the way to go!!

Saludos,,,,mc

Bloviator

Jan 18, 2006, 5:50 AM

Post #25 of 37 (1848 views)

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Re: [carlw] Dying In Mexico

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I'm still disturbed by the thought of the family of the person who was found dead in the field next to my home in CA. An undocumented worker killed by a rattlesnake, no one claimed him. His family did not have the chance to take him home in the family coche or a million dollar hearse, fly him home first class, cremate him, or even know for sure that he was dead. Though, I hope that whoever his compadres were (most live together in one room or a small house, whole bunches in a room), found out that he was dead and somehow informed the family.

He may not have been Mexican (We have a lot of Guatemalans and Salvadorans in our neighborhood), but I hope this relates to the topic at hand.

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