5) A small metal or plastic plate must be affixed to the shipping container and must indicate the following information relating to the deceased: name and last name (maiden name, if applicable), date of birth and date of death;
The Consulate will request from the proper Italian Authorities the authorization to allow the ashes to enter the Italian National Territory for burial (as it is not regulated by this office, we cannot provide the exact time frame for the issuance of the above mentioned authorization provided by the Municipality).
I had hoped that this journey would give me peace and bring a particular chapter in my life to a close. My expectations and the reality of the experience were different. Here is what I learned about traveling in remembrance of a loved one.
We had a lot of rain on this trip but the sky opened up for us at sunset on the last evening in Florence when we were to release her ashes. My father described a special spot on the Arno River below the Grand Hotel where an outcrop juts out from the road over the spillway. He said their rooms always had that same view and it was their favorite spot to stop and people watch on their evening walks. When we came to the place he described, it was boarded up with what looked like thick vault doors. Determined, we jumped over the locked gates and made ourselves ready for sundown.
My wife born in the US had wished that her cremated remains be taken to Italy and then scattered in the mountains, we had lived in Lucca a number of years ago. I have been able to determine what regulations "our" TSA has on flying her ashes (ie able to x-ray), however the Italian Consulate appears to be objecting to my transporting the ashes and then my scattering them in the mountains. In researching the internet their seems to be a lot of conflicting information concerning Italian Regulations vs. The Church's position.
Does anyone know if a private person can actually transport cremated ashes into Italy and then privately scatter them? Or is it necessary for a funeral home in the US to ship the ashes directly to a funeral home in Italy? Thirdly, If the ashes are able to get into Italy by either of the above can the family still scatter them in the mountains, (or) is it required that the ashes be taken to an Italian cemetery? Lastly, if the ashes must go to a cemetery, can they be scattered there or is a interment required. Thank you for any informatio you may have.
William, To begin with, I've very sorry for your loss. Your questions are a bit difficult to answer, as I've never encountered this situation before. I suspect that the easiest solution will be to minimize the amount of bureaucracy that you deal with concerning this. Hopefully one of the group here will have a few suggestions for you. Good luck!
This issue is so complicated that I would not rely on an information from this site as most would be only question. It would be a problem in the US as you cannot just go scattering ashes anywhere. My request has been to be dumped under the Mercury chair lift at Breckenridge so they would visit frequently. Huge NO, NO. You really need to be in contact with a Italy consulate somewhere even if they are giving you an answer you do not like..
Thank you everyone for your information. The Italian Consulate's Office has been very helpful, however it appears that the current laws in Italy do not allow for cremated remains to be "scattered" and they would require that the ashes be interned in a cemetery in Italy. I think that all of our family will go the the beach, here in Florida, and let the Atlantic Ocean made the "connection" back to Italy. Again thank you for your assistance.
To obtain the authorization to ship human remains and/or cremains into Italy, the Funeral Home must submit the following documents to the Italian Consulate. Please take into consideration that the approximate processing time is ten (10) working days from the day the all the proper documentation is received:
2a. In the case of Ashes a certified cremation certificates in accordance with the procedures of the state where you operate (notarized, possibly on your own letterhead, they must bear your certificate of Authority Number and the cremation number)
2b. In case of full body repatriations a certified statement that the Embalmers (include the license number) have embalmed and disinfected and embalmed the remains in accordance to local Board Standards (notarized, possibly on your own letterhead).
4. Information sheet (enclosure) completely filled out. Please write the name of the Cemetery in Italy, including the town and the province where it is located. The port of entry into Italy must be specified.
6. Letter from the family of the deceased (either residing here or in Italy) stating that the Funeral Home (complete name and address of the Funeral Home) has been chosen to conduct all the procedures related to the shipment of the body/ashes into Italy, including all responsibilities involving the construction and the closure of the shipping box and the affixing of the Mortuary Passport and the Consular Tag (issued by the Consulate General of Italy) on the same box.
7. Money Order in the amount of $ (please contact the Consulate to receive the updated Consular fee. you may email the assistance office at assistenza...@esteri.it). Please note that consular fees are subject to change every 3 months. The fee is applied when issuing the final document, not when the request is submitted.
10. The death certificate must also be registered in the City Hall in which the deceased is either registered or born in and therefore the following form must also be completed: Registration of Death Certificate.
The Consulate General will then forward a request to the Municipality where the human remains/ashes are to be interred. Once the necessary authorisation has been received, the Consulate General will arrange with the family and/or the Funeral Director an appointment for the Consular seals to be affixed to the coffin/casket. A Consular certificate will also be issued at this point to accompay the coffin/casket onto Italian territory.
These stainless steel 9mm Italian charm links will fit the popular nomination bracelets. Your loved ones cremation ashes can be permanently set into the jewellery for you to keep with you wherever you go. Due to the limited space on these it is not ideal to set hair or fur.
If you would like to have a similar charm made with hair or pet fur, I recomment this one: Italian charm link with ashes, hair or pet fur (fits nomination)
The charms take only a tiny pinch of ashes to make. You can send them to me in your own sealed bag or I can send a a collection kit which will include a resealable bag for you to place your ashes inside. Any unused ashes will be returned to you along with your finished piece.
Each piece is presented in one of my eco friendly gift boxes. Engraving up to 6 letters is available on the back of most designs. I am unable to engrave on the angel or the winged heart design due to these already having a manufacturing stamp on the back.
How much ashes do you need?
I generally ask for around a teaspoon of ashes, although that is way more than I actually need it gives me a good amount to be able to pick out the very best ashes for your jewellery.
How do I send the ashes to you?
You can choose whether to receive and ashes collection kit or whether to send them yourself. My ashes collection kit contains a small bag to put your ashes into, and a larger one to ensure extra protection in the post. It also includes an envelope to return the ashes in.
Can I deliver the ashes by hand?
Most customers send their ashes via royal mail, however if you would prefer to deliver them by hand, you are welcome to do so as long as the ashes are well labelled, you can pop them through my letterbox at any time.
Can I collect my finished item?
All orders will be posted out by Royal mail. I do not offer a collection service except on the 1 hour service. This is due to the fact that I cannot be disturbed when I am in the middle of making someones precious memorial jewellery.
What happens to any leftover ashes?
Any leftover ashes will be returned to you unless you request for me to store them.
If you think you might like to order more jewellery in the future and do not want to keep sending your ashes backwards and forwards in the post, I am happy to store up to a teaspoon worth of ashes for you. All ashes are stored in well labelled bags attached to your original order details. If you wish to use ashes in future please make sure you keep a note of the order number.
Can I come and choose my jewellery in person?
Lasting Touch is an online business and I do not keep product samples available to view. Most of the items you see on my website and social media pages are of customer orders, so I no longer have them. If you want to see additional photos of a particular item, I can send you some by email, please just ask.
From January - September standard turnaround times on this item is usually around 10-14 days from the date I receive your inclusions, however this is not guaranteed.
At Christmas time (October, November, December) turnaround times can be up to 28 days.
If you need to guarantee that you receive your item for a specific date, please select one of the priority turnaround options available. The selected turnaround time will begin from the date that I receive your inclusions, and not from the date you place the order.
Fast turnaround orders will be shipped using Royal mail's tracked 24 service. Standard turnaround orders are shipped using the tracked 48 service. If you wish to upgrade to Special Delivery (guaranteed next working day), you can do so once I confirm receipt of your inclusions.