Nowadays, it is common for Lithuanians to travel to distant and exotic destinations for work or leisure. Unfortunately, some pass away abroad, and their families wish to lay their loved ones to rest in Lithuania. In such cases, it becomes necessary to choose between transportation by specialized vehicle, plane, or a combination of both.
Transporting human remains by air is often a more expensive option than road transport; therefore, it is commonly chosen when remains must be transported over very long distances. An experienced repatriation company helps relatives select, in each specific case, the most economical and fastest transport method, ensuring the safe and respectful repatriation of the deceased’s body.
Transportation of the Deceased by Air: Process
Human remains are classified as special cargo because their transport requires particular care and handling during shipment and storage. Therefore, when transporting remains by air, they must be properly prepared for transport. They must be correctly packaged and comply with all safety and sanitary requirements. Additional attention is given to packaging and safety (if transport is permitted) when the deceased has died from an infectious disease.
When accepting special cargo, airlines require the sender to provide necessary documents – most commonly a death certificate, various permits for transporting the body, and certificates from sanitary authorities, depending on the legal requirements of the country from which the remains are being sent. Permits from the departure, transit, and arrival airports are also required.
Embalmed remains must be placed in a hermetically sealed coffin. The coffin is usually wooden on the outside, with an inner zinc- or lead-lined container in which the remains are placed and securely sealed.
Coffins may be transported on both cargo and passenger aircraft. On passenger aircraft, this is permitted only if the baggage and cargo compartments are fully separated from passengers. If this condition is not met, transportation may only take place on a dedicated or special flight.
Due to the fragile nature of the coffin and the natural processes of decomposition, coffins must always be transported in a horizontal position. For sanitary, safety, and ethical reasons, human remains are not transported in the same compartment as food or live animals.
In most cases, an accompanying person is required for the transportation of the deceased.
The coffin is typically loaded onto passenger aircraft before boarding begins and unloaded after passengers have disembarked at the destination airport. In some airports, it is permitted to formally pay respects, receive the coffin, or conduct brief ceremonies during loading or unloading.
Transporting an urn by air.
Transportation of the Deceased by Air: Price
For non-cremated people repatriation by plane is counted by its factual weight; therefore, the shipping cost will depend on the weight of this special cargo.
In most cases, an accompanying person is also required to buy a seat ticket on the plane.
Transportation by airspace is one of the most complicated processes, and is often more expensive than other methods, as it requires various permits and embalming of the body.
Transporting by air requires compliance with stricter regulations and is therefore typically used when transportation by road is difficult or not possible.
Palaikutransportavimas.lt – support during times of loss
The death of a loved one is inevitably a difficult, stressful, and painful period, which becomes even more difficult if the loved one dies in a foreign country. We are here to help during this difficult period by transporting the deceased and arranging all the necessary formalities.
We help relatives during this difficult period 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We consult on all issues of concern, provide detailed information about the transportation process, coordinate an action plan, inform about the progress of the process, and arrange all bureaucratic formalities.