Transcript Shipping of Human Remains Intrastate and Interstate Shipments International Shipments

Shipping of Human Remains
Intrastate and Interstate
Shipments
International Shipments
History of Domestic Shipping
 reasons for increase:
1) Mobility of today’s society
2) Civil War and development of embalming
3) Abraham Lincoln
Influence of War
 WW I: “Graves Registration Service”
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“ dog tags”
 WWII: shipping by air, rail, and sea
 Korean War: rail became obsolete
9/11/01
 government and airlines created more
restrictions
Intrastate and Interstate Shipments
 Forwarding of Remains
 Receiving of Remains
 Methods of transfer:
 Common Carrier
 Private Carrier
Coordination of Air Transport
 1) Initial Call
 2) Additional Assistance
 3) Payments/Arrangements
Coordination of Efforts
 Responsibilities of “shipping” FD
 Responsibilities of “receiving” FD
Preparation of Human Remains
 embalming vs. alternative methods
 minimize shifting of the HR during transport
 protect clothing and casket interior
 minimize/prevent purge
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
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
Paperwork
 Transit Permit
 Bill of Lading: (triplicate)
1) carrier
2) shipper (consignor)
3) receiver (consignee)
 Death Certificate
 Embalming Report
Transportation Expectations
 Documentation
 Arrival Time
 FH employee delivering the HR to the
carrier
International Shipments
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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
International Shipments (cont’d)
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requirements:
1) Notify and coordinate with consulate.
2) Comply with customs regulations.
3) Strict adherence to receiving country’s rules.
4) Time delays are common.
5) Translation of documents may be necessary.
6) Documents required. (next slide)
7) Adherence to foreign customs/culture.
Documents Required
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Death Certificate
Passport/Mortuary Passport
Letter of Non-communicable disease
Embalming Report/Certificate
Copy of FD License/Registration
Copy of Funeral Bill
 Inspection
Specific Concerns
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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
 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!!!!
Forwarding CR to Another
Country
 Documentation required:
– Death Certificate
– Crematory Permit
– Letter from FD Stating “contents”
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.
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.