Bringing Loved Ones Home — No Matter the Distance
At Bergen Funeral Service, we are honored to help families bring their loved ones home, wherever life's journey may take them. Recently, our work was recognized in The New Yorker for a case that took us nearly 9,000 miles across the globe, a story of love, dedication, and the power of connection during one of the most challenging times in modern history.
A Tragic Loss Far from Home
In December 2020, a young athlete from New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, tragically passed away while studying in Canton, St. Lawrence County, New York. His parents, devastated by the loss, were determined to bring him home to his final resting place.
This was no small task. Transporting a loved one internationally is always a complex process, but doing so during the global COVID-19 pandemic brought an entirely new set of challenges. Border restrictions, limited international flights, and additional health documentation requirements made international mortuary transport especially difficult.
Coordinating a 9,000-Mile Journey
From our Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, location and our Queens, New York office, our team began working immediately. We:
- Secured the necessary consulate approvals in Manhattan.
- Prepared all required international documentation and health clearances.
- Coordinated multiple flights, including transport from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Paris, and then on to Noumea, the capital of New Caledonia.
- Ensured the family's loved one was cared for with dignity and respect at every step of the journey.
- Despite the logistical and bureaucratic hurdles, the young man was reunited with his family and laid to rest in his hometown — a promise fulfilled even in the face of extraordinary obstacles.
Specializing in International Funeral Shipping
Bergen Funeral Service is one of the few funeral homes in the United States specializing in international repatriation. Whether a loved one passes away abroad or in the U.S., we have the experience, network, and knowledge to navigate the complex requirements of international transport.
For families who choose not to transport a body overseas, we also provide direct cremation services and can arrange for the secure shipment of cremated remains worldwide.
Honored to Serve
Being featured in The New Yorker for this meaningful work was an honor, but the real reward was knowing we could help a family say goodbye in the way they needed most.
Read the full New Yorker feature:
Learn more about our international mortuary transportation services:
International Funeral Shipping & Repatriation
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For more information or immediate assistance, please contact us today.
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Seeking Cremation or Funeral Shipping?
At Bergen Funeral Service, we understand how important it is to honor your loved one's final wishes. That's why we offer a range of services and work with you every step of the way to ensure that their passing is commemorated in a meaningful and respectful manner. Trust us to be your compassionate and reliable direct cremation and funeral shipping providers.
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