Human Remains

The shipper must comply with the regulations in force in the countries of origin, transit, and destination.

Most countries require the documentation detailed below to have a visa stamp from the Consulate at the country of origin and destination. It is the exporter/shipper's responsibility to ensure compliance with all laws and/or regulations pertaining to the transport of human remains.

This type of cargo is subject to the following terms:

1. Prior agreement between LAN CARGO and the shipper, space reservation must be confirmed from the origin to the destination, especially for international routes in which one or more carriers may participate that do not belong to the LAN Alliance.
2. Death Certificate, issued by the competent Authority in the country where the death took place.
3. Accompanying Medical Certificate, stating that the deceased did not die from an infectious or contagious disease.

4. Note: This includes illnesses that may contaminate the atmosphere or environment, elements for personal use, humors, excretions, and secretions, among others.

5. Embalming Certificate issued by an accredited funeral service company or an official authority from the corresponding country.

6. Note: If the embalming process took place 48 hours after the time of death, the corpse will be accepted by certifying that it was kept in a cold chamber. Otherwise, the corpse must be submerged in formalin during the required time period in order to stop and neutralize decomposition. The latter process must be accredited by the pertinent Legal Medical Authorities o Local Medical Authorities.

   If the corpse underwent an autopsy, the additional corresponding procedures must be followed, which must be backed by a certificate issued by the competent sanitary authority.

7. Transportation Permit issued by the competent Authority at the country of origin.
   

For exceptions to these rules, please contact our Department of Cargo Standards and Procedures:
EE&PP Carga EE&PPCarga@lanchile.cl
+56 2 694 7925
+56 2 694 7901

Human remains exhumed within 5 years from the date of death will not be accepted for transport. Human remains exhumed after 5 years from the date of death will only be accepted for transport as long as an accompanying written certificate states that the decomposition process has ended, that they do not give off bad odors, and that the coffin contains only skeleton remains. The latter may be certified by the cemetery administration and confirmed by the competent sanitary authorities in the country of origin. Notwithstanding the above, the shipment must be accompanied by all the official documents and permits required by the countries of origin, transit and destination.

Packing

1. Non-cremated human remains must be contained in an airtight soldered lead or zinc inner box, which in turn must be placed within a wood coffin.
2. Enough absorbent material must be placed between the inner box and coffin to retain any liquids coming from within.
3. Once sealed, the coffin must have a resistant and adequately cushioned wood or pressed carton exterior packing.

The exterior packing must additionally have resistant handles for ease of handling.

Marking and Labeling

Marks and labels used on packages containing coffins must be the same as those used for general cargo. Marks other than those detailed as follows will not be accepted: (see Figure 1).

1. Name and address of shipper and consignee, and, if possible, consignee's telephone number.
2. Air waybill number.
3. Destination airport.
4. Number of pieces contained in the shipment.
5. Package weight.
6. Handling labels: "ORIENTATION" and "FRAGILE".
7. The word "HEAD" near the place where the head is located may be accepted as an additional mark. (Figure 2).

Note: In cases where the personal belongings of the deceased will be sent together with the coffin, these must be listed on the AWB. At the origin, the weight of both pieces must be calculated separately and the corresponding specifications must be detailed in the "Nature and Description of the Goods" box of the AWB.