Sending Human Remains to the Homeland, Ethiopia
The following provides relevant information on sending Human Remains to the Homeland for EEMAA members, should they need such services.
[Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is only provided to serve as a starting point]
The following documents will be required for sending human remains to our homeland, Ethiopia:
1. A letter from the Ethiopian Embassy, Mission or Consulate confirming that the remains of the deceased (name, passport number) is authorized to be transported back to Ethiopia;
2. Death certificate to be provided by the State authorities;
3. Embalming certificate (provided by the Funeral Home);
4. Department of Health, city or county, Board certificate, confirming that the deceased was not infected with a contagious disease at the time of death;
5. Burial permit, provided by the State authorities that allows one to bury, cremate or transport the body of the deceased; and
6. Copy of passport of the deceased.
In addition to the above requisite documents to send the remains of loved ones to Ethiopia, please note that the following information will also be required by the Shipping Agent, in order to get the Air WayBill for the shipment of the remains: (i)the estimated weight of the remains in pounds (to be obtained from the Funeral Home); (ii) the size of the casket, e.g., 20 Gauge Casket (to be obtained from the Funeral Home); (iii) the air tray for the casket (to be obtained from the Funeral Home); and (iv) the name of the consignee for the shipment of the remains, either the name and telephone number of a family member back home if the remains are to be claimed by the family when it arrives in Ethiopia, or the phone number for a Funeral Home in Ethiopia, if there are arrangements with local funeral homes.
Please also see the following link to the Ethiopian Embassy’s website that also provides the requirements set by the Ethiopian Airlines for transporting human remains and what it requires to approve the shipment: