Transprtation regs of remains in an Urn with Ba/BMI & TAM...HELP!
 

Hi,

Forgive me if I have posted in the wrong place!

I hope someone may be able to give me advice on the following issue.
My father has just recently passed away and will be cremaeted. His wife would like to take his remains back to their home in Brasil in the Urn.

Now she will be flying with TAM from Heathrow to Brasil, but we are not sure if she will fly to Heathrow with BA or BMI.

Here is the problem, I phoned BA if we need any kind of documents be it from customs or whatever, or if any special requirements needed to be met for the airlines or any other authorities which may need to be involved (customs, security etc).

After phoning BA I then phoned BMI with the same question and this is the answer I got from them.

BA: Just need deat certificate, ok as normal hand luggage, ashes need to be sealed up, will be ok for further international flight as hand luggage also.

BMI: Will not be allowed to travel whatsoever especially not as hand luggage, has to be processed as freight and gave me number for cargo department!

I have been unable to contact TAM as the 0870 phone number on the website does not work!

Now the question is why is it ok with BA but not ok with BMI.
The gentleman I spoke to took his time and had to consult his boss to make sure the info he gave me was right, whereas the gentleman which was from an indian call centre (not that that has anything to do with it), seemed just to tell me straight away no cannot be done, has to be cargo!!
I am trying to find a contact number for a BMI ticket desk here in the UK to cross reference his answer.

Is there actually no international agreement or policy on such an issue?

Anyway thanks for any help and again apologies if this is not where such a post should be.

Firstly my condolences.

For BA try typing "ashes" into the search function at ba.com, I've tried to post the link here but cannot get it to work.

If it is in handbaggage I doubt it will even be noticed, let alone commented on by the airline staff. However it may show up during X-Ray and/or hand search when going through security so having all the paperwork is essential ...and be careful of the "one item of hand baggage" rule in the UK.

I know of Easyjets policy not sure on BA and BMI and that is:

They can ONLY be carried as hand luggage, must be packed properly ie sealed up and you must also have a copy of death certificate and cremation certificate. I know flying EZY isnt an option but I cant see it being much different with other UK carriers.

I work at LHR and many people travel through with ashes.

I can't comment on any particular airline's policy ( but to be honest most airlines would have no idea how many pax carry ashes in handluggage with them)

From an airport point of view, a few tips.

Make sure they are in a container that seals tightly and won't open if dropped. But the container will need to be openable should your bag get pulled for bagsearch.

Carry the container near the top of your bag.


All the best with your journey.

I would agree with EGNXEMA on this one.

I think the person at BD has got confused with a human remains which must travel as cargo and ashes which are usually fine in handluggage.

Did you manage to get hold of TAM? I may havea contact at the LHR office if you still need the question answered.

Thanks everyone your advice is very much appreciated.

KiloMike,

I am still trying to get hold of TAM, if you could give me a direct contact number at LHR this would be of great help.
Please PM me if you can.


Again thanks to you all for taking the time to help me out.

Bmibaby's policy on the matter is the same as Easyjets, seem as BmiBaby has addpoted the BMI policy it should be the same for Mainline.

Jus trying to get hold of my contact at TAM but in the meantime I checked on www.bt.com and it came up with this number for reservations:

Tel: 020 88970005

Try thank and if still no joy let me know

Regards

KiloMIKE,

Thanks but I've tried the 020 number you posted but it either does not work or the connection is very bad and the staff cannot understand what is being said.
I will try again later maybe it has something to do with my phone line.

Thanks again.

Condolences for your loss.

I've brought back my Dad's ashes via QF/BA.

Quite simple. Keep it in the original container that will be sealed by the crematorium. Make sure you have the death certificate or any other formal documentation. Carry through in your hand luggage but make sure you follow the normal hand luggage rules (which change monthly). (ie, 1 piece only etc)

If the urn has been opened or the ashes are in another vessel the security guys may get a bit curious as to what the composition of the ashes are.

Once they were opened (I scattered half in Scotland, the other half in Australia) then it was easier to go into the hold as the container wasn't securely sealed. If you're thinking of doing something like that, the crematorium can split the ashes into separate sealed containers.

Hi Again,

Just wanted to thank everyone again for sharing their experiances and giving me very helpful advice.
Everything is all sorted now.


Many many thanks

:ok: