Massey Bros. launch Ireland’s first international repatriation plan
Today sees the launch of Ireland’s first insurance plan aimed at the growing number of people from overseas who have made Ireland their home but who, on their passing, would like their remains to be returned to their place of birth.
The plan is the result of collaboration between one of Ireland’s longest established funeral directors Massey Bros. and Insurances & Financial Services Ltd., Insurance Brokers and can be tailored to ensure that sufficient funds are available to cover the cost of repatriation to any country in the world.
Peter Maguire, Business Manager, Massey Bros. said that Ireland has seen a massive growth in the number of people who have made it their home which has been mirrored by the number of enquiries they have had about the repatriation of loved ones, particularly to countries such as Poland, Nigeria and Brazil. “Our experience is that an increasing number of people would like to be able to be returned home on their passing, but are concerned about the level of cost involved and the burden that would place on their families,” he said.
“The vast majority of people should be able to avail of the repatriation plan for as little as €10.00 per month plus the government levy of 10c per month. We have long been offering ‘pre-paid’ funeral plans to people in Ireland for funerals in Ireland, so extending this to cover international repatriation seemed to us to be a natural progression, particularly as we have specialist experience in this area.
“International repatriation can be both complex and costly. Our plan, which caters for people right across Ireland, has been designed not just to ensure that the funds are available to pay for the repatriation, but also that the arrangements are taken care of for the family. There is also the option to include provision for local funeral costs and the cost of airfares for family members so that they can also travel home with the deceased and attend their ‘local’ funeral.”
Gerard Downey of Insurances & Financial Services Ltd, said that this is a unique opportunity to partner with a funeral director to develop what is a tailor made insurance based arrangement. “The approach Massey Bros. has taken is about making sure that families are looked after in the best way possible. We have spent many months working together developing this plan which is based on a life assurance policy. This has involved researching the cost of repatriation which today ranges from €3,400 for the UK to €4,700 if you were to repatriate remains to a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. Price increases – including the rising cost of oil – have also been factored in.
“The wonderful thing about this policy is its flexibility to cover the specific requirements of each client. In addition to the funeral and repatriation costs, the death benefit can also be increased to include expenses incurred by the family of the deceased such as airfares or a local funeral. Should the death benefit paid out be in excess of the actual cost of repatriation, Massey Bros. will return the balance of funds to the estate of the deceased.”
The international repatriation plan is available to people who at the time of application are aged up to 80 years at their next birthday and is subject to terms and conditions. It requires payment of a monthly premium which is determined by the insurer based on individual circumstances. A legal agreement ensuring that Massey Bros. carry out the wishes of the policy holder i.e. repatriate their remains to their chosen country is also signed which includes a commitment from Massey Bros. to return any surplus from the amount paid by the insurance company to the estate of the deceased. The Insurance Broker, Insurances & Financial Services Ltd. and any insurance company/product provider chosen are regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. The Terms of Business from the Broker and the Terms and Conditions of the policy will be issued with every quotation requested in advance of commencement of any Life Assurance Plan/Repatriation Agreement.
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