Shipping of Human RemainsShipping of Human Remains

Intrastate and Interstate Intrastate and Interstate ShipmentsShipments

International ShipmentsInternational Shipments

History of Domestic ShippingHistory of Domestic Shipping

reasons for increase:reasons for increase:

1)1)Mobility of today’s societyMobility of today’s society

2)2)Civil War and development of embalmingCivil War and development of embalming

3)3)Abraham LincolnAbraham Lincoln

Influence of WarInfluence of War

WW I: “Graves Registration Service”WW I: “Graves Registration Service” “ “ dog tags”dog tags” WWII: shipping by air, rail, and seaWWII: shipping by air, rail, and sea Korean War: rail became obsoleteKorean War: rail became obsolete

9/11/019/11/01 government and airlines created more government and airlines created more

restrictionsrestrictions

Intrastate and Interstate ShipmentsIntrastate and Interstate Shipments

Forwarding of RemainsForwarding of Remains

Receiving of RemainsReceiving of Remains

Methods of transfer:Methods of transfer: Common CarrierCommon Carrier Private CarrierPrivate Carrier

Coordination of Air TransportCoordination of Air Transport

1) Initial Call1) Initial Call

2) Additional Assistance2) Additional Assistance

3) Payments/Arrangements 3) Payments/Arrangements

Coordination of EffortsCoordination of Efforts

Responsibilities of “shipping” FDResponsibilities of “shipping” FD

Responsibilities of “receiving” FDResponsibilities of “receiving” FD

Preparation of Human RemainsPreparation of Human Remains

embalming vs. alternative methodsembalming vs. alternative methods

minimize shifting of the HR during transportminimize shifting of the HR during transport

protect clothing and casket interiorprotect clothing and casket interior

minimize/prevent purgeminimize/prevent purge

Shipping ContainersShipping Containers

Transfer containers: approved by the ATATransfer containers: approved by the ATA Air tray- wooden tray with a cardboard covering for Air tray- wooden tray with a cardboard covering for

the casketthe casket

Combination container/case- particle board box with Combination container/case- particle board box with a cardboard tray and covera cardboard tray and cover

Ziegler case- gasket-sealed container that can be Ziegler case- gasket-sealed container that can be used as an insert or separate shipping containerused as an insert or separate shipping container

Wood box- transfer container made entirely of woodWood box- transfer container made entirely of wood

Cremated RemainsCremated Remains4/21/044/21/04

Transportation Security Administration Transportation Security Administration (TSA): all carry-on containers must pass (TSA): all carry-on containers must pass through the x-ray machinethrough the x-ray machine

containers must allow the screener to see containers must allow the screener to see what is insidewhat is inside

no containers will be openedno containers will be opened opaque containers: checked baggageopaque containers: checked baggage temporary containers recommendedtemporary containers recommended

PaperworkPaperwork

Transit PermitTransit Permit Bill of Lading: (triplicate)Bill of Lading: (triplicate)

1) carrier1) carrier

2) shipper (consignor)2) shipper (consignor)

3) receiver (consignee)3) receiver (consignee) Death CertificateDeath Certificate Embalming ReportEmbalming Report

Transportation ExpectationsTransportation Expectations

DocumentationDocumentation

Arrival TimeArrival Time

FH employee delivering the HR to the FH employee delivering the HR to the carriercarrier

International ShipmentsInternational Shipments

Points to consider:Points to consider: 1) foreign laws1) foreign laws 2) lengthy delays2) lengthy delays 3) lack of organized system of FHs3) lack of organized system of FHs 4) FH may not be licensed4) FH may not be licensed 5) no local FH available5) no local FH available 6) airline regulations6) airline regulations

International Shipments (cont’d)International Shipments (cont’d)

requirements:requirements:1)1) Notify and coordinate with consulate.Notify and coordinate with consulate.2)2) Comply with customs regulations.Comply with customs regulations.3)3) Strict adherence to receiving country’s rules.Strict adherence to receiving country’s rules.4)4) Time delays are common.Time delays are common.5)5) Translation of documents may be necessary.Translation of documents may be necessary.6) Documents required. (next slide)6) Documents required. (next slide)7) Adherence to foreign customs/culture.7) Adherence to foreign customs/culture.

Documents RequiredDocuments Required

Death CertificateDeath Certificate Passport/Mortuary PassportPassport/Mortuary Passport Letter of Non-communicable diseaseLetter of Non-communicable disease Embalming Report/CertificateEmbalming Report/Certificate Copy of FD License/RegistrationCopy of FD License/Registration Copy of Funeral BillCopy of Funeral Bill

InspectionInspection

Specific Concerns Specific Concerns

1) special permission required1) special permission required 2) official documents2) official documents 3) inspection of the shipment3) inspection of the shipment 4) consular fees and airline freight4) consular fees and airline freight 5) zinc lined caskets and wooden outer 5) zinc lined caskets and wooden outer

boxesboxes

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

Forwarding CR to Another Forwarding CR to Another CountryCountry

Documentation required:Documentation required:– Death CertificateDeath Certificate– Crematory PermitCrematory Permit– Letter from FD Stating “contents”Letter from FD Stating “contents”

Receiving Remains from a Foreign Receiving Remains from a Foreign CountryCountry

Specific concerns:Specific concerns:– Decisions need to be made quickly.Decisions need to be made quickly.– Smaller coffins.Smaller coffins.– High fees.High fees.– US govt. will not advance funds.US govt. will not advance funds.– Container may not fit in standard hearse.Container may not fit in standard hearse.– Ask if return portion of ticket can be used for air Ask if return portion of ticket can be used for air

freight charges.freight charges.

Specific Concerns (cont’d)Specific Concerns (cont’d)

– Advise family to purchase least expensive Advise family to purchase least expensive services…they will have local US expenses as services…they will have local US expenses as well.well.

– No disinterment in foreign country for 2-15 No disinterment in foreign country for 2-15 years.years.

– Many foreign countries do not issue a death Many foreign countries do not issue a death certificate…..the US embassy must get involved certificate…..the US embassy must get involved to provide death documentation.to provide death documentation.

– Foreign hospitals may not have refrigeration.Foreign hospitals may not have refrigeration.– Foreign autopsies are not equal to US standard.Foreign autopsies are not equal to US standard.