Twyla Shannahan expresses regret over the separation from her late husband’s ashes during a flight from Alberta to Newfoundland. The widow from Alberta is demanding an inquiry following an incident where Air Canada temporarily misplaced her husband’s cremated remains, as she was instructed to place them in a checked bag instead of carrying them on board.
Shannahan emphasized the significance of the ashes, stating they are not luggage but the remains of a human being, her beloved husband, who deserved better treatment. After losing her husband in February, Shannahan intended to scatter his ashes in the ocean and transport them to his hometown in Newfoundland, a place that held a special meaning for him.
Despite preparing all necessary documentation and confirming with Air Canada in advance about carrying the ashes in her hand luggage, Shannahan was instructed at Edmonton International Airport to place the remains in a checked bag due to purported “new rules.” Distressed but complying, she checked the bag to board her June 10 flight to St. John’s.
Upon arrival in St. John’s, Shannahan discovered that the bag containing her husband’s ashes was missing, leading to a heartbreaking moment of despair and self-blame for not fulfilling her promise to him. The ashes had been mistakenly sent to Montreal, but Shannahan insisted on personally retrieving them, expressing dissatisfaction with the airline’s handling of the situation.
In response to the incident, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) explained that while cremated remains are generally allowed in carry-on luggage, security screening considerations may necessitate placing the container in checked baggage as per Transport Canada regulations. CATSA acknowledged the sensitivity of such situations and emphasized the importance of treating passengers and their loved ones with respect.
Air Canada also confirmed that cremated remains are permitted as carry-on items if they meet security requirements, expressing regret over the delay in delivering Shannahan’s checked baggage containing the ashes. Despite offering a $200 travel voucher as a goodwill gesture, Shannahan found the airline’s response unsatisfactory, feeling that her husband’s remains were not accorded the proper respect.
Shannahan was eventually able to scatter her husband’s ashes as planned but remains unsatisfied with the airline’s handling of the matter. She has urged Air Canada to investigate the incident thoroughly, provide appropriate compensation, and conduct a comprehensive review of its policies regarding the transportation of human remains to prevent similar incidents in the future. She stressed the emotional toll such mishaps take on grieving families and expressed her ongoing devastation over the ordeal.