By Man Hon Cheng, FRSPH, MBIE, MAIE Manager, Hong Kong Funeral Logistics Services Co Ltd.

In April 2025, a daughter approached us with a heavy heart. Her father had passed away in Hong Kong, and she was determined to bring his body home in Western Europe - to the burial ground he had purchased years before his death. It was his final wish - one she was committed to honouring, no matter the obstacles. But the journey was far from simple.

A Family Divided, a Court’s Decision

After initially requesting a quotation from us, the daughter chose another repatriation firm - only to face a heartbreaking conflict with her brothers. While she sought to fulfil her father’s wish for burial in his home country, her brothers prioritized cost-efficiency and advocated for the repatriation of cremated ashes.

In late May, the dispute escalated to the court in the destination country. After consulting the chosen firm via the Consulate General in Hong Kong, the court accepted their claim that embalming was not possible. As the basic requirement for importing a human body could not be satisfied, the court declined to issue a burial permit and ordered the import of cremated ashes.

The daughter was devastated. Her father’s final wish seemed out of reach - along with her chance for closure.

A Glimmer of Hope

In her darkest moment, the daughter remembered our quotation, which included embalming services provided by a certified embalmer. She reached out again, clinging to the hope that her father’s wish could still be fulfilled.

Once she shared the full story, I immediately contacted the consulate and inquired on what basis the previous firm had claimed embalming was impossible. I was told that they - despite never having viewed the body - believed, “He has been dead too long. He can’t be embalmed.”

But time since death alone does not determine the feasibility of embalming. I went to the mortuary and personally examined the body. Despite signs of dehydration, weakened skin, and slight surface mould, the body could indeed be embalmed for international transportation. The previous claim was more assumption than fact. It misled the court and robbed the daughter of her chance to honour her father’s final wish.

A Letter That Changed Everything

I wrote a detailed letter to the judge, outlining my findings - explaining why the body was still suitable for embalming and why the repatriation would pose no risk to public health.

Convinced by the evidence-based letter, the judge overturned the decision. A burial permit was issued, and the father’s journey home could finally begin.

As we do in our daily work, we began applying for the required documents, searching for suitable flights, and coordinating with all involved parties. With the consulate’s assistance, everything proceeded smoothly.

Since the coffin was not to be opened upon arrival in the destination country, we arranged a farewell in the mortuary via video call with the daughter. We dressed him with a set of beautiful white shroud that the daughter had chosen. A small green crossbody bag which he always carried was gently placed beside him, accompanying him on his final journey. The daughter was comforted and the father looked peaceful.

Finally - and poetically - we entrusted the father to the airline’s care on Father’s Day. When the body arrived in the destination country, he was laid to rest in the burial ground he had chosen for himself.

For the daughter, it was a moment of deep relief and closure.

Beyond Restoration

On every Father’s Day to come, the daughter will remember that - in a seemingly impossible situation - it was her love that brought her father home, and her unwavering dedication that honoured his final wish.

Had that assumption gone unchallenged, the court’s decision might have become final - and the guilt of failing her father’s wish, permanent. In my very first module as a student embalmer, I was taught that our work can either hinder or help families through grief. I’ve helped families by restoring a peaceful appearance to their loved ones - but there are deeper ways to bring healing as an embalmer, ways that go beyond anything I imagined.

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