1. Shipping of Human Remains
Intrastate and Interstate Shipments
International Shipments

2. History of Domestic Shipping
reasons for increase:
Mobility of today’s society
Civil War and development of embalming
Abraham Lincoln

3. Influence of War 9/11/01 WW I: “Graves Registration Service”
“ dog tags”
WWII: shipping by air, rail, and sea
Korean War: rail became obsolete
9/11/01
government and airlines created more restrictions

4. Intrastate and Interstate Shipments
Forwarding of Remains
Receiving of Remains
Methods of transfer:
Common Carrier
Private Carrier

5. Coordination of Air Transport
1) Initial Call
2) Additional Assistance
3) Payments/Arrangements

6. Coordination of Efforts
Responsibilities of “shipping” FD
Responsibilities of “receiving” FD

7. Preparation of Human Remains
embalming vs. alternative methods
minimize shifting of the HR during transport
protect clothing and casket interior
minimize/prevent purge

8. Shipping Containers Transfer containers: approved by the ATA
Air tray- wooden tray with a cardboard covering for the casket
Combination container/case- particle board box with a cardboard tray and cover
Ziegler case- gasket-sealed container that can be used as an insert or separate shipping container
Wood box- transfer container made entirely of wood

9. Cremated Remains 4/21/04
Transportation Security Administration (TSA): all carry-on containers must pass through the x-ray machine
containers must allow the screener to see what is inside
no containers will be opened
opaque containers: checked baggage
temporary containers recommended

10. Paperwork Transit Permit Bill of Lading: (triplicate) 1) carrier
2) shipper (consignor)
3) receiver (consignee)
Death Certificate
Embalming Report

11. Transportation Expectations
Documentation
Arrival Time
FH employee delivering the HR to the carrier

12. International Shipments
Points to consider:
1) foreign laws
2) lengthy delays
3) lack of organized system of FHs
4) FH may not be licensed
5) no local FH available
6) airline regulations

13. International Shipments (cont’d)
requirements:
Notify and coordinate with consulate.
Comply with customs regulations.
Strict adherence to receiving country’s rules.
Time delays are common.
Translation of documents may be necessary.
6) Documents required. (next slide)
7) Adherence to foreign customs/culture.

14. Documents Required Inspection Death Certificate
Passport/Mortuary Passport
Letter of Non-communicable disease
Embalming Report/Certificate
Copy of FD License/Registration
Copy of Funeral Bill
Inspection

15. Specific Concerns 1) special permission required 2) official documents
3) inspection of the shipment
4) consular fees and airline freight
5) zinc lined caskets and wooden outer boxes

16. Follow the regulations of that country to the letter…
Follow the regulations of that country to the letter…..shipment may be returned to you at your expense and you will have to reship at your expense!!!!

17. Forwarding CR to Another Country
Documentation required:
Death Certificate
Crematory Permit
Letter from FD Stating “contents”

18. Receiving Remains from a Foreign Country
Specific concerns:
Decisions need to be made quickly.
Smaller coffins.
High fees.
US govt. will not advance funds.
Container may not fit in standard hearse.
Ask if return portion of ticket can be used for air freight charges.

19. Specific Concerns (cont’d)
Advise family to purchase least expensive services…they will have local US expenses as well.
No disinterment in foreign country for 2-15 years.
Many foreign countries do not issue a death certificate…..the US embassy must get involved to provide death documentation.
Foreign hospitals may not have refrigeration.
Foreign autopsies are not equal to US standard.