Delta Cares

General Information

Delta Cares provides compassionate, professional services to funeral directors with a complete line of services for the shipment of human remains. We also offer considerate professional travel care for family members accompanying the remains or traveling separately.

Cremated Remains may be carried on board the aircraft or shipped as cargo. You may also arrange to have a flora spray accompany the shipment at no extra charge or arrange to have a military escort

Delta Cares shipping rates vary based on origin, destination, dimensions and weight of shipment. Click here to view rates for Human Remains and Cremated Human Remains.

Fallen Soldier Program

Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer our “Fallen Soldier Program” for service men and women who have sacrificed their lives in defense of our country. We are very proud of the service these men and women and are honored to provide special handling procedures in recognition of this sacrifice.

A U.S. Military Escort may accompany the remains of a U.S. Service Member. In the event of a military escort we do require the Department of Defense Mortuary Affairs to notify Delta Cares that a Military Escort will be accompanying the fallen soldier.

For more information on Delta’s Fallen Soldier Program please contact Delta Cares at

Restrictions

• On-line booking is available for shipments originating in the United States.
• Shipments must be tendered at least 90 minutes prior to the scheduled flight departure to ensure proper handling. Unless advance arrangements are made, Delta Cargo will not accept human remains shipments more than four hours prior to the scheduled flight departure time.
• Cremated remains must be shipped in a crematory urn or funeral urn that is sufficiently protected against breakage.
• Family members accompanying remains shipments may arrange travel plans by calling Delta Cares.
• One flora Spray, not to exceed 48”L x 32”W x 8”H, is permitted.
• Personal items may not be shipped with the remains.

Booking

To ensure proper handling all shipments must be pre booked through Delta Cares at 1.800.DL CARES (1.800.352.2737).

Drop-off/Pick-up

Please tender your shipment at your local cargo facility at least 120 minutes prior to flight departure for U.S. -based shipments and 240 minutes prior to departure for international shipments.

Special Handling

Human remains receive special handling and priority boarding throughout transit.

Documentation

Appropriate documentation must accompany all human remains shipments. Shipments must be accompanied by a signed certificate of death, burial permit, and/or burial removal permit as required by state law.

Regulations

The Cargo shipper is responsible for complying with all local, state, federal, and international regulations.

Shipping Tips:

• Use only new outer shipping containers.
• Human remains must be adequately secured in a casket or combination unit to prevent shifting.
• Remains must be tendered in a container that will adequately protect the contents from damage with ordinary care and handling.
• Remains must be tendered in a container that will adequately protect the contents from damage with ordinary care and handling.
• Identify the head end of the outer shipping container to assist handlers in aircraft loading and unloading operations.

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