Transporting human remains has complex rules and requires detailed planning. For this reason, customers must work with their preferred funeral home or medical institution (such as a hospital or nursing home) who is authorized to ship human remains and is familiar with all the associated intricacies of the process.

We offer:

• Highest priority booking and special handling
• Airport-to-airport service
• Streamlined tracking and notifications
• A special Fallen Soldier program

Qualified funeral directors are familiar with the regulations on this page and will work with us to ensure compliance. 

Requirements for Transporting Human Remains

• Human remains must be accompanied by a death certificate signed by a physician or health care officer, or a burial removal permit and/or transit permit, as required by law. Please contact the state officials at your origin and destination for full details on all regulations and document requirements. Your funeral director will ensure you have the necessary paperwork.
• Human remains must be adequately secured in a tightly closed, leak proof container.
• The container must be enclosed in an outside shipping container of wood, metal, canvas, plastic or paperboard construction, with enough strength and padding to protect the container from damage.
• If the container weighs more than 400 pounds, it must have at least six handles.
• The container must not exceed the cargo size limits of the aircraft being used for shipment.
• We cannot accept shipments of human remains outside of the United States. 

Transporting Cremated Remains

Cremated remains traveling as cargo are subject to the same minimum requirements listed above. Optionally, customers on Alaska Airlines passenger flights may bring cremated human remains on board as carry-on or checked baggage. Please visit the TSA website to learn about its security screening requirements.