What Happens if a Person Dies on a Cruise Ship?

By Robert Palmer

The idea of a person dying on a cruise ship is a morbid one and something that no one wants to think about. Unfortunately, it does happen from time to time.

When it does, cruise ships have procedures in place in order to deal with the situation.

If a passenger dies on board a cruise ship, the ship’s medical personnel will assess whether there are any suspicious circumstances and whether an autopsy should be performed. Depending on the port where the vessel is sailing, the local authorities may be called in to investigate if necessary.

In some cases, if there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, it may be possible for the body to be repatriated back home. This will depend on the laws of the country where the vessel is registered and any protocols that need to be followed by foreign vessels in ports of call.

When repatriation is not possible due to legal or practical considerations (such as lack of family members to take responsibility for transportation of remains), then arrangements can be made for local burial or cremation at sea.

Cruise ships usually carry out such burials at sea with great respect and dignity for the deceased. Passengers are usually invited to attend, although this is not always possible depending on weather conditions and other factors.

Conclusion:

The death of a passenger on board a cruise ship can be an upsetting experience for those onboard. However, most ships have procedures in place in order to properly deal with such situations so that they can be handled with respect and dignity while adhering to local laws and regulations.