18 October 2005

Revised Guidelines on the repatriation of Human Remains to the Philippines

Effective 05 December 2005 (Monday), the Philippine Consulate General advises the public of revised guidelines governing the shipment of human remains to the Philippines.

In cases where the embalmed/cremated remains of a deceased person are shipped to the Philippines, the Consulate General shall issue a Consular Mortuary Certificate upon submission of the following documentation:

1. A Death Certificate issued by the State Registry showing the personal circumstances of the deceased;
   
   
2. A Mortuary/Funeral Director’s Certificate duly authenticated by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), stating that the body was properly embalmed/ cremated in accordance with internationally-accepted health practices; that it is in a sanitary condition consistent with existing standards for overseas shipment; and that the casket/urn has been hermetically sealed and contains only the remains of the deceased;
   
   
3. A Certificate of Non-Contagious Disease issued by the Local Area Health Service, stating that the deceased did not die of a contagious disease or that the remains to be shipped did not originate from a place contaminated by a contagious disease;
   
   
4. A Transit Permit issued by the Local Area Health Service at the place where the transportation begins;
   
   
5. Information on the consignee/ addressee/ person bringing the cremated remains, mode of shipment, name of carrier, date and port of embarkation, port of destination and scheduled time of arrival; and
   
   
6. For deceased Filipino citizens/ passport holders, A Report of Death issued by the Philippine Consulate. (NOTE: Processing fee of AUD 50.00 applies)

The presence of the Consular Officer for the sealing of the casket or urn will no longer be required for the issuance of the Consular Mortuary Certificate.

The fee for the issuance of a Consular Mortuary Certificate will be AUD 50.00.

Please be guided accordingly.