Senior Travel Alert: Critical Conversations
Today’s Travel Tip applies to all who travel, but especially for those who are traveling internationally. I don’t want to instill fear, but rather preparedness for those who choose foreign travel. When crises arrive, a few critical conversations help to avoid additional heartache during emergencies.
They married thirty-seven years ago. Both athletic. Both outgoing. They competed in athletic events. He won a trip to France for international competition. They sought travel books and talked about the fun in store, plus bought insurance “in case something happened.” And it did.
While swimming in a hotel pool in Marseille, he died unexpectedly. Fortunately, they talked beforehand what they wanted to do when one or the other died. Did they want to return to their home state, which they left after college and their marriage? Did they want a funeral or memorial service? What about cremation? Where are passwords for the computer? Where are the paper documents? They discussed it and decided before the trip that neither wanted a funeral but a memorial service would be nice, both at their nearby church and in their hometown.
Because she knew what he wanted and where to find important documents, the ordeal went better than some. But an obstacle arose. Wouldn’t it be easier to cremate him in France? It was more complex than expected. Apparently, the French rarely cremate the deceased. After contacting a funeral home, calling back and forth to adult children, and completing paperwork, his ashes came home with her. “Not many French speak English anymore, at least where we were. Language barriers made it difficult. But kind and gentle medical staff people brought me food and drink while my husband slowly faded away during the next two days.” she said. They returned home about three weeks later.
Another family faced similar issues. The husband died in Italy and she transported the body to Illinois. The trip ended in unimaginable heartbreak. Their trip insurance helped. The travel company knew how to assist but the experience could have been less painful if they discussed “what if” in advance. It took two weeks before this widow returned home. The paperwork overwhelmed her, both while in Italy and afterwards.
Critical conversations are…well, critical! Even if it’s a trip to Canada or Mexico, it’s a different country and you better plan for the downside. Travel teaches us much, but widows, widowers, and travel partners rarely think a crisis will happen in advance. Please heed this call to action before you travel.
Photo by Ted Glover: On the Road near Banff on a Road Scholars trip.