F.S. MGMT CH.14 (Shipping Human Remains)

Funeral homes are required to register as a ______ with each airline they use to ship human remains

"known shipper"

What are the shipping procedures for casketed human remains by air?

* Lower the deceased to bottom of casket * Cover face and hands (secure hands if possible) * Place box/padding at foot of casket to minimize movement during flight * Casket can be locked - IF YOU LOCK THE CASKET, MAKE SURE TO PUT THE SCREW CAP IN THE INFORMATION ENVELOPE, DO NOT SCREW IT ON- the casket needs to be able to pressurize * Place casket in shipping container- bottom of shipping container is made of wood and top of shipping container is made of cardboard - Attach all flight info and transit/burial permit in envelope on exterior of shipping container (at the head end) as well as the deceased's name, funeral home of destination

The next advance in domestic shipping of human remains can attributed to the military:

* WWII motivated the advancement of aviation as a method of shipping deceased soldier's back home * WWII era was the first time that 3 forms of transportation (air, rail, and sea) were used to ship human remains to their place of origin * After several military conflicts, the process of getting deceased soldiers back home was greatly improved upon

When a funeral home ships human remains, what are some of the documents that are required?

*Photo ID issued by government agency and your state funeral director license *Death Certificate for the deceased *Burial/Transit paperwork *Permit Letter of Non-Contagious Disease *Embalmer's Affidavit *Passport of the deceased (if obtainable) for international shipping *Letter on funeral home letterhead stating: "Only human remains are inside the casket," the flight itinerary, and the Consignee's name, address, and telephone number*

Shipping requirements issued by American Airlines:

- All containers used for the shipping of human remains MUST be "overpacked" or attached to a wooden pallet that is larger than the container itself in order to prevent it from tipping over - Containers must be attached to the pallet with bands or shrink wrap - Pallet or skid must be in good condition, no protruding nails or loose boards

Documents and Inspections requirements:

- All countries require "legalization or authentication" of the documents stating regulations of their country - All documents required by foreign countries must have a "dry raised or impressed seal" - Local coroner/ME will need to issue a letter stating that the cause of death is not due to a contagious disease if the finalized DC is still pending - Documents may be able to be faxed - Determine if "inspection and/or sealing of casket" is required (travel to another city for this may be required) - Family will be responsible for any fees associated with inspections or generating official documents -DO NOT SEND FLOWERS!!!! Shipment will be denied and/or quarantined

What are the shipping procedures for Non-Casketed remains by air?

- Can be shipped in a container called a "combo" unit - smaller in size than a casket and made of wooden bottom with a cardboard top that usually has padding in the interior (one time use containers) - Plastic undergarments (bottoms) and hospital gown (at minimum) should be used - Should be wrapped in a sheet- DO NOT wrap in anything plastic - Any clothing/personal effects should be in separate plastic garment bag secured to the bottom of container - Anchored to bottom of combo unit with nylon straps - Flight info, burial/transit permit placed in envelope at head end of combo unit, along with deceased's name and funeral home of destination

Considerations when Deceased is OUTSIDE of the U.S?

- Do not set service times until you know when deceased will arrive (don't even set them until you have the deceased in your care) - Get all vital statistics from family ASAP - Contact funeral director to handle shipment in country of death who is familiar with the shipping requirements of their country - Speak with family about the size of the deceased - Consider location of the deceased - Day of the week that death occurs - Circumstances of death - Communicate to family that every location has differing requirements - Notify shipping funeral home of final disposition so that proper documents can be generated

What do you do in the event you can't embalm (religious beliefs) when shipping remains?

- Dry ice packs are permitted, but a strict frame (strict time frame and no evidence of leaking or putrefaction)

What are some of the required documents for shipping humans?

- Photo ID issued by gov't agency and state funeral director's license - Death certificate - Burial/ Transit permit - Letter of Non-contagion - Embalmer's affidavit - passport of deceased for international shipping - Letter on FH letterhead stating that only human remains are enclosed, flight itinerary, Consignee's (receiver's) name, address, and phone number ** you may need to get these translated into language of receiving country

Shipping remains via airlines can be split into two time periods:

- Pre 9/11: more lax guidelines on authority to transport remains to airport- any funeral associate could go to airport to take a deceased person to fly out -Post 9/11: more strict guidelines on authority to transport remains to airport

What are the special requirements needed for foreign country shipment?

- Some countries require an all wooden outer shipping container with a zinc lining - Some countries require all documents be translated to their native language - As early as possible determine what you will need to procure and what it will take to get those items - Entire shipping process including securing all required items, documents, and certifications may take 10-14 business days (may take longer) - Make sure you have your exterior measurements of container IN THE PROPER UNITS

All airlines require the deceased to be what?

Embalmed

Do not send what item with any shipment of human remains overseas?

Flowers

President Lincoln's fascination with embalming led to what?

His declaration that all Union soldiers killed in action would be embalmed and returned home for burial

In most states only a _____ are permitted to ship or to receive human remains from an airport

Licensed funeral director or trainee

It wasn't until ______ that the masses became aware of the importance of domestic shipping.

Lincoln's assassination

_____ has put together a list of major airlines and their requirements for shipping which can be found online

NFDA

Failure to comply fully with the regulations of the country of destination when shipping human remains may result in what?

Refusal to permit the entry of the human remains shipment and its subsequent return to the U.S.

What is the definition of domestic shipping in the funeral industry?

Returning of human remains to a place of origin for final ceremonies and disposition

What is an "apostille"?

The verification of a notary seal or governmental agency seal and the accompanying signature

How many forms of ID must be provided to airport staff?

Two forms of current ID (photo ID and a state license or registration card)

The _____ era was the first time that three forms (air, rail, and sea) of shipping were used to return remains to their place of origin

WWII

What is a Ziegler case?

a container made of zinc that has one-piece zinc top that is usually screwed to the bottom portion of the case- commonly used for international shipping or in cases when decomposition is present- can be used as an insert inside casket or in place of casket

Almost all modern-day domestic shipping (and all international shipping) is done using ______?

airlines, but there are other options (cars, trains)

common carriers

any carrier required by law to convey passengers or freight without refusal if the approved fare or charge is paid (airline, train, etc.)

TSA instilled what;s known as the "known shipper" policy- this rule was put into place to ____?

bar terrorists from using air cargo to smuggle weapons onto planes AND to provide a chain of custody involved in preparing human remains for shipment by air

Process of domestic of human remains typically begins with notification from whom?

family

Firms like Eagle's Wings help with what?

flight coordination and even booking companion seats (seats on the same flight for loved ones)

Shipping Advice:

it will almost always take longer than you project due to unforeseen circumstances, emotions and tensions will be high when a loved one is in transit, (keep that in mind)

Each airline has its own _____?

procedures for application and possible inspection process as well as its own documentation needed/procedures for transporting human remains to other countries

Receiving remains

services of secondary funeral provider after initial services have been completed by funeral provider at location of death

Forwarding remains

services of the funeral provider in the location of death and preparation for transfer to another funeral provider as selected by the family

In additions to state apostilles (verification of notary seal or governmental agency seal and the accompanying signature-legalization of the document) being required on documents, some countries may require what?

the apostille of the U.S. Department of the State

private carrier

those who transport only in particular instances and only for those they chose to contract with (funeral homes, livery services)

What is the standard for un-embalmed bodies include in order to protect and ensure no leaking?

use of a Ziegler case with ice packs

Both the sending and receiving funeral home can be held responsible and liable for:

Clean-up costs that may arise from human remains that are shipped and leak outside of their shipping container, as this creates a biohazard incident

Nearly all domestic shipping of deceased is done via what method of transportation?

Airlines

Receiving Human Remains from Abroad includes:

- When death occurs in a foreign country, the family will need to contact the U.S. Embassy in that country to get info on local regulations - Decisions will need to be made quickly by the family, and the family will be financially responsible for all arrangements including shipping costs and possible fees - Embalming is not available in some countries and it may not mean the same as it does in the U.S.- use caution when planning viewings with the family until the deceased is in your care and you've seen them - There are no federal agencies in foreign countries that regulate funeral services as there is in the U.S. - A death certificate indicating cause of death may not be available, an alternative document might have to suffice - The U.S. Embassy representative in country of death must be notified that the deceased is properly encased and prepared for shipment prior to departing the country

Shipping Human Remains to Foreign Countries

-Shipping funeral director must call the embassy/consulate of the receiving country to verify the current regulations and fees - Every FD involved with shipping human remains to a foreign country must comply with the regulations of the receiving country (and any countries that the shipment passes through) to the last detail - Failure to comply fully with the regulations may result in refusal to permit the human remains entry to the country and its return to the U.S. - If remains need to be shipped to a country that is neighboring the country of final disposition / destination (so the remains will land in one country and then perhaps be driven to a neighboring country), regulations of both countries have to be followed

What are the three elements that influenced domestic shipping of deceased within the U.S.?

1.) The mobility of today's society 2.) Development of embalming and the Civil war 3.) President Lincoln

What is a Ziegler case?

A zinc-constructed container that has a one-piece zinc top that is usually screwed to the bottom portion of the case. It's commonly used for international shipping or to prevent odors of a decomposing body

After what events did domestic shipping of the deceased become a new avenue of service offered by American funeral directors?

After the Civil war and the burial of Lincoln