Human Remains

Human remains are deceased bodies or cremated ashes transported as special air cargo under the booking code HUM. The CTM contains shipping guidelines for funeral operators, airlines and freight forwarders who are involved in the repatriation of human remains by air. Proper documentation relevant to each party in the supply chain, is needed when transporting human remains. This includes accurately filling out an Air Waybill and ensuring the necessary supporting documentation is provided. The IATA Guidelines on Handling of Human Remains can be found in the IATA Airport Handling Manual at page 149: AHM 333 Handling of Human Remains, or in the introduction of the IATA TACT (The Air Cargo Tariff).

A Lufthansa Cargo shipment carries AWB number 020-12345678 for human remains from Frankfurt (FRA) to New York JFK (JFK), where 020 is the AWB prefix identifying Lufthansa Cargo as the issuing carrier and HUM appears as the special handling code. An Emirates SkyCargo cremated remains shipment uses AWB number 176-87654321 from Dubai (DXB) to London Heathrow (LHR), with the urn packed in protective outer packaging as required for this cargo type.

• HUM
• remains
• HRM

What documentation is required for shipping human remains internationally?

Human remains intended for interment or cremation after entry into the United States must be accompanied by a death certificate stating the cause of death. If the death certificate is in a language other than English, then it should be accompanied by an English language translation. Human remains must be accompanied by an official certificate of death and, for cremated remains, a certificate of cremation.

Can human remains be shipped together with other cargo types?

Carriers are required, according to the IGOM, not to accept any human remains that are consolidated with any cargo other than other human remains. It also prescribes that human remains in coffins should not be stored next to food or live animals. Only One HUM may be carried at a time on a given aircraft.