Importing dead relatives
 

My father has unfortunately died recently, back in Scotland. We were unable to get back at the time while he was in hospital or to attend his cremation. We are planning to return to scatter his ashes later in June, but I thought, seeing as he always wanted to come out to NZ but was always too ill, why don't I bring a part of his ashes back with me and scatter them here.

-perhaps on the Rothmans building in Napier ;-)


Does anybody know what paperwork will be involved in doing so and how to go about it ?

thnx

peter

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

Sounds harsh but....why would you have to tell anyone?

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

Yes that was my thought, but unfortunately my wife cannot tell a lie and is worried in case they search the bags and upon finding a small packet of white powder go for the rubber gloves to search a liitle bit further !

peter

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

MMM I think just put a little bit in a nice suitable container and if you get asked be honest, :thumbup:

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

yep will probably do that.

Nicola has emailed customs and excise to ask, but it is not as if we are bringing in Nuclear weapons, dog semen, or childrens pyjamas ( all prohibited it seems )

peter

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

My mum has just brought bits of my dad and planted him here in my garden.
Didn't tell anyone-didn't ask anyone-probably wasn't his bowel ash cos the dogs sniffed nowt.
Nike......just do it!

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

Well there you go - The man from customs he say . . . .Yes !

You were all right, there is no problem whatsoever with bringing in human ashes.

peter (who is eating kumara and coconut soup just now)

ps if you ever need cheering up, have a look here - http://icanhascheezburger.com/

KTHXBYE

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

Expect to have your bag searched each time it passes through x-ray. I travelled from NZ to UK with my brother's ashes (mum wouldn't class him as buried properly and was upset so his final resting place will be with mum). I had my bag searched at every x-ray, no one said anything though.

All I needed was Michael's certificate of cremation. I've now brought him back as Mum resides in Australia, which is quite fitting as he had just won a contract to dance in Oz.

Thank you for looking into this as I will be taking him to Australia when the time comes.

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

Sorry to hear of your sad news...glad it sounds like you will be able to bring the ashes over without difficulty.I've almost clocked up 12 months without seeing my parents for the first time in my life and they are getting on in life....this really is one of the worst aspects of being on the other side of the world because even if you can afford the fares home regularly, you don't necessarily want to use all your annual leave for instance, so it's never an easy issue for expats anywhere in the world but deffo the hardest of all here....

On a more mundane note, does anyone happen to know why no children's pyjamas?..I've just asked for some to be sent over as the ones here are so 1950s and have massive 'Keep away from fire' labels all over them which I find scary even though there are no naked flames in our house. I'll see if they get through the post then.

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

Since being here for the last 3 1/2 months, i've had 3 lots of childrens pyjamas sent out through the post, never had any probs yet, didn't even know of any regulations regarding them. My friends and family are always sending Next clothes through the post to us. :thumbsup:

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

heh - LOL catz crack me up :rofl:

Nice one.

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

My dear old Dad had passed away--we could not get to the funeral in time(he had said "Don't try to get here if anything happens-it will be too late anyway"). When Mum became crook about a year later we went over --she recovered and lived another 12 years. I took a handful of dirt from Dad's resting place put that in a plastic bag. Declared this on the way back in to NZ.

The Customs/MAF etc could have not been more helpful. Very kind and respectful

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

I think if you leave relatives behind, then something like this is bound to happen - sad though it is. I think in my case, my Dad has been pretty ill for ages ( years) and would never have been able to visit NZ, so I really said goodbye when we emigrated. Also I have a sister and brother back in the UK who were able to be there for my mum, it must be much more difficult I think leaving elderly relatives on their own.

regarding childrens pyjamas it is the ones containing lead (!??) that are banned
it is all here - http://www.customs.govt.nz/importers...ts/default.htm

including . . . patagonian toothfish, liberian diamonds and weapons of mass destruction from korea.

I'll sleep safer in my bed now

peter

Re: Importing dead relatives
 

Rats, there I was thinking that it was an added extra that my lead jammies were keeping me warm AND allowed me to pick up radio stations. Is nothing sacred anymore?!!