I think that remark is very strange also, Seriously Searching. Did this Heather live right next door, or just in the neighborhood?
This is neither here nor there, but as Brad is Nancy's husband, he is the next of kin (of course). Brad would have had to sign a paper stating that he is giving up rights to Nancy's body to her family as they are taking her too her home country of Canada for burial.
I am in another state. My son was killed on a motorcycle by a drunk driver when he was 28. He and his wife were still living together, but divorce was coming. She was having an affair and did not care that people knew it. She said she had no money for the funeral. As his mother, I stepped in and said that I would take care of everything. The funeral home director had his wife sign a paper stating that she would be turning his body over to me.
My point is this. A husband or wife is the next of kin. If they do not or cannot plan and or pay for the funeral, then they can sign over their right of say so over their husband/wife to other family who can and will see to it.
It appears that Brad would have signed away his claim to Nancy's body. I wonder if that is why he is saying he prefers to grieve in 'private'? This guy is a piece of work, IMO. I doubt Brad would be allowed to leave the country anyway. Nancy's family is so wonderful, close, and full of love. As this is the very last thing they can do for Nancy, I am glad they are being allowed to do so.
If Brad Cooper did not kill Nancy, then I will never trust my gut feelings again.