According to the Funeral Service Association of Canada (FSAC), as of January 2021, Air Canada now allows human remains to be shipped by Air Canada Cargo for those who died due to COVID-19. Prior to that, Air Canada would not permit remains to be forwarded on the airline.

A newly developed form must be filled out and all requirements strictly complied with, however. The form is only intended for use with COVID-19-positive cases. It is also important to note that hermetic sealers are not required for domestic transportation.

All other requirements associated with the Air Cargo Security Program and the Transport Canada Known Consignor Program remain in effect and must be complied with. FSAC has contacted Air Canada to respond to some of the requirements and awaits further developments. For more information or to download the form, visit fsac.ca/air-canada-cargo-change-to-know-with-covid-19.

In addition, on January 8, 2021, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) changed the regulations regarding the importation of human remains. According to FSAC:

• As a minimum requirement, human remains must be transported in a hermetically sealed container to import human remains into Canada.

• CBSA revised the conditions under which cadavers, other human remains, organs and tissues may be imported into or exported from Canada. Revisions assist the Public Health Agency of Canada in the administration of the Quarantine Act and quarantine regulations.

• COVID-19 has been added to and is listed as
a communicable disease under the Quarantine Act. Exporters must obtain permission from the chief public health officer of Canada to export human remains when the deceased had a communicable disease.

FSAC has reached out to CBSA to discuss the implications and challenges resulting from these unforeseen changes and will provide updated information when available. fsac.ca