Bringing of cremated remains from Philippines to U.S.

[fruitcake 31]

Please respect my post. Thank you!

Good day everyone,

I had a stillborn last year with my fiance. We decided to cremate his body so that I can take his remains with me when I go to the U.S. coz I don't want his body will remain in the Philippines.

I have my son's cremated remains in a wooden urn.

I just wanted to know if anyone of you here know the requirements, documents needed to show/bring at the airport upon leaving Philippines and upon arriving to the U.S.

You can also send me a link for more info if anyone of you have.

Thank you in advance! God bless!

[almost_umrican 53]

Let the USC partner talk to US mission about this. this is a very unique scenario.

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

So sorry for your loss.

I would contact the airline you are flying with, they will be able to advice, most have a specific department for dealing with unusual situations like this.

[teeak 224]

http://blog.tsa.gov/2012/06/traveling-with-crematory-remains.html

http://apps.tsa.dhs.gov/mytsa/cib_results.aspx?search=cremains

I'm very sorry for your loss.

The TSA website advises using a wooden or plastic urn, so you should be alright.

I'd also suggest checking with the airlines to see what their policy is on bringing crematory remains. As mentioned in the linked post, they may not allow the urn in checked baggage.

[Caryh 5,206]

Looks like there really is no restrictions for cremated remains. But it must be in a container they can x-ray through.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/237/~/requirements-for-importing-bodies-in-coffins-%2F-ashes-in-urns

[almost_umrican 53]

Looks like there really is no restrictions for cremated remains. But it must be in a container they can x-ray through.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/237/~/requirements-for-importing-bodies-in-coffins-%2F-ashes-in-urns

thanks for sharing man

[Tahoma 2,291]

The CBP rules refer you to the CDC. Here is what the CDC says: http://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/human-remains.html

[Michael and Ganna 104]

Sorry for your loss...Have you checked the Embassy? They may be able to help you

[Adil & Jeanne 296]

yes, this is the site i looked to for information as my husband died while we were traveling

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/237/kw/cremated%20remains/session/L3RpbWUvMTQ2MTMzODA0Ni9zaWQvOUV5TSpGT20%3D/suggested/1

mostly it is the death certificate and medical saying cause of death as they do not allow some with commuciable diseases in (reasoning that some viruses are not killed in the cremantion process)

I am so sorry for your loss

[fruitcake 31]

Thank you all so much for the information. I really appreciate it. This will help me ease the process in the future.

And I've also done some additional research about the airlines policy of bringing cremains. I will call them one day.

This website really helped a lot of people. Thumbs up to the creator

Edited April 23, 2016 by fruitcake

[Greenbaum 12,258]

fruitcake, on 23 Apr 2016 - 06:47 AM, said:

Thank you all so much for the information. I really appreciate it. This will help me ease the process in the future.

And I've also done some additional research about the airlines policy of bringing cremains. I will call them one day.

This website really helped a lot of people. Thumbs up to the creator

I'm sorry for your lost. Getting your child to her final resting place will surely bring a little more closure for you. I wish that smoother roads are ahead for you.

VJ is a very helpful community and many of us depend on it for answers and guidance. When things settle down for you, could you return and outline your process so that others behind you can follow your undertaking in this matter. So many times a question is asked and many suggestions are given but we never hear back from the individual as to how they finally resolved their issue. So the original post goes unanswered to it's finality. That is the reason for my request.

All the best to you.

[fruitcake 31]

I'm sorry for your lost. Getting your child to her final resting place will surely bring a little more closure for you. I wish that smoother roads are ahead for you.

VJ is a very helpful community and many of us depend on it for answers and guidance. When things settle down for you, could you return and outline your process so that others behind you can follow your undertaking in this matter. So many times a question is asked and many suggestions are given but we never hear back from the individual as to how they finally resolved their issue. So the original post goes unanswered to it's finality. That is the reason for my request.

All the best to you.

Hello Greenbaum. Yes indeed, a very helpful website. And I hope you continue helping others along the way of processing their visas. And also amaze how people are trying to help too and in return I will also help in any way possible I can.

I will surely post an update here. So people know how it is and how the process go.

Thank you very much!

[fruitcake 31]

Hi Guys,

I hope everything is well with you all. I am already here in the US since August with the ashes with me and didn't have a problem. I am writing here to give an update to someone who would wanted to know what happened or how did it went.

First thing make sure your urn is not ceramic or marble. Mine was ceramic at that time but then I transferred it to a wooden urn. This way it will be easier for you and the people at the airport scanning it in the airport.

Second is the documents needed for you to get a Export permit:

1. A photocopy of the Death Certificate (from NSO),

2. A photocopy of the Cremation Certificate (from the place where you cremate the ashes)

3. Transfer of Ashes Permit (If you live in the province, you need this) you can get this at City Health. There is a fee.

Once you gather all the requirements then is about time you go to the Bureau of Quarantine where it's located in Cebu City and Manila to get the Quarantine Permit. There is a fee of Php 500.00 to get the Permit. It is easy to get this and you dont have to bring the ashes just the documents. After you get the permit then you're good to go.

When I fly from Manila to Jacksonville I had my flight separate booking. So from Manila to LA (flying with PAL) LA to Chicago and Chicago to Jacksonville, FL (flying with American Airlines). From Manila at the airport upon check in they didnt notice the urn in my purse so I wasnt able to show them the quarantine permit and I didnt tell them that I was carrying ashes. But from Chicago to Jacksonville upon check in, they x-ray my purse and notice something then asked me to open my bag and to show them whats in my purse. So I told them that those are my baby's ashes. Asked me to scan it again with urn alone they didnt opened it nor asked the permit. They just want to double check. After that they let me go. So thats my experience.

Although they did not asked me the permit I think is all worth it because what if they ask and you've got nothing to show. It is better to be prepare than sorry.

Thank you everyone and God Bless!

[Penguin_ie 5,986]

Thank you so much for the update!