How do I obtain a transit permit for bringing cremains to Jamaica

[brownsd54]

I am very sorry for you loss. I had to get a travel permit for a relative's cremated remains in December. It was a process. You need a death certificate and a proof of cremation.

Fax the documents to these folks:

St. James Health Department
Ph: 1-876-979-7820-4
Fax: 1-876-979-7802

Email: saintjames@wrha.gov.jm
St. James Montego Bay PO St. James, Jamaica WI

There is a cost of around US$60. The hard part is you must have the original documents issued by the health department with you when you arrive in Jamaica. A cab driver friend paid the fees and picked up the documents.

When we arrived in Jamaica I ran outside and got the documents. Then the hard part - swimming upstream against airport security while a family member was discussing the matter with security. They will not let you take the remains out of the airport without the permit. Airport security took the documents back to my family member and all was good. Had a beautiful sunset boat ride and we placed his remains in the sea. PM me if you have any questions.

As am I, so sorry for your loss. If there is a bright thing about this, you will be able to watch every Negril sunset knowing that your loved one is out there some where. My best friend of 45 years passed away in February and he too wanted to be spread out at sea close to Negril. He had only been there 3 times but somehow Negril touched his heart in a big way.

So where did you get stopped with the remains?? At customs, and then once someone swam backwards from the outside door back to customs with the permit, only then can you continue out? Is that right? My friend Bob would want me to meet the driver outside with the permit, have a quick Red Stripe at the Groovy Grouper and only then get the permit back to customs, LOL.

[Kold Ass Mofo]

As am I, so sorry for your loss. If there is a bright thing about this, you will be able to watch every Negril sunset knowing that your loved one is out there some where. My best friend of 45 years passed away in February and he too wanted to be spread out at sea close to Negril. He had only been there 3 times but somehow Negril touched his heart in a big way.

So where did you get stopped with the remains?? At customs, and then once someone swam backwards from the outside door back to customs with the permit, only then can you continue out? Is that right? My friend Bob would want me to meet the driver outside with the permit, have a quick Red Stripe at the Groovy Grouper and only then get the permit back to customs, LOL.

The family member carrying the remains claimed it on the customs form to prevent it from being confiscated. "Cremated remains of a loved one.....$0.00". We had an emailed copy of the travel permit but the customs folks wanted the original paperwork that was issued from the health department in St James. If you don't have the paperwork with you at the airport they keep the remains in their custody until you return with the paperwork.

The airport security people in mo bay were very nice. Try going upstream of airport security in Atlanta, you'll get tazed.

You are absolutely correct about the bright side. Now we get to enjoy the Negril sunsets and even swim with our deceased loved one. He's out there somewhere between the beach and Rick's.