[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 22, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 22CFR72.12]

[Page 353]
 
                       TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS
 
                     CHAPTER I--DEPARTMENT OF STATE
 
PART 72--DEATHS AND ESTATES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 72.12  Shipment of remains to the United States.

    (a) Arrangements. Whenever the remains of persons who have died 
abroad, regardless of the nationality of the deceased, are to be shipped 
to the United States, the consular officer should assure himself that 
they are properly encased and accompanied by all necessary papers 
pertaining to the death, exhumation (if applicable) and preparation for 
shipment. The requirements of the country where the death occurred must 
be met at all times.
    (b) Local documents accompanying remains. The following documents 
should accompany the remains for shipment, attached to the consular 
mortuary certificate (see paragraph (d) of this section):
    (1) A certificate of death issued by the local registrar of deaths, 
or similar authority, identifying the remains, showing the place, date 
and cause of death as certified by the attending physician, with a 
listing of the cause of death conforming as far as practicable with the 
terminology of the International List of Causes of Death (needed to 
comply with United States Quarantine and interstate requirements);
    (2) The affidavit described in paragraph (c) of this section (for 
United States Customs), which also would generally include evidence of 
embalming, when applicable (needed to comply with the requirments for 
interstate shipment);
    (3) A ``transit permit'' authorizing export of the body out of the 
country, issued by the health authority at the port of embarkation, 
stating the date of its issuance, name of deceased, sex, race, age, 
cause and date of death (needed to comply with New York health 
requirements).
    (c) Packing and labeling of casket. In order to facilitate clearance 
through United States Customs at the port of entry, the undertaker, or 
whatever person is responsible for packing the body for shipment, should 
be required to make a sworn declaration--to be attached to the consular 
mortuary certificate (see paragraph (d) of this section)--that the 
casket or box contains only the body of the deceased and the necessary 
clothing and packing. The sworn declaration should be made, if 
practicable, before the consular officer; if not, it should be made 
before a qualified local official, whose signature and seal can be 
authenticated by the consular officer. The outer box should be labeled 
in conformity with port of entry health requirements.
    (d) Consular mortuary certificate. A consular mortuary certificate 
should be prepared indicating how the case is marked and addressed, 
means of transportation to the United States, name of carrier, date and 
place of shipment, port of entry and scheduled time of arrival. The 
documents listed in paragraph (b) of this section should be ribboned to 
the consular mortuary certificate, which should be signed by the 
consular officer and sealed with the consular press seal.