Heath Ledger has been found dead

[dingo]

The first picture I saw was a wooden coffin, oak or some nice wood, with a small emblem on the top. They took it out of the hearse and it only filled the doors about half way up. IMO they then put a wooden casing around the coffin for transportation purposes because when they put it back in the hearse it was much bigger and almost filled the doors. Maybe that is something that is required by the air carrier so that the coffin doesn't get banged up or come open accidently while in flight. I know Australia is pretty sticky about some things. They are the only country I have traveled where the airline had to spray inside the plane for any bugs, etc. before you landed so that nothing foreign was brought to their country.

We have very strict customs here as we do not have a lot diseases and pests that other countries have.
As you said Fundiva the coffin would have been placed in the crate to protect it when it was strapped down in the cargo hull.

 

[dingo]

Heath not in it for the fame...


Heath Ledger adored Australia, loved helping his friends and never became an actor "for fame or fortune", his father Kim said in a message read to a large gathering of Australians and Hollywood stars in Manhattan.
The unexpected letter sent chills through the 1,000 guests inside New York's Waldorf Astoria hotel grand ballroom for the G'Day USA Australia Day Ball.
Kim Ledger asked Australia's consul-general in New York John Olsen to read the letter.
"Heath is, and always will be, an Australian," wrote Kim, who arrived in the US overnight to escort his son's body back to Perth.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=371144

 

[close_enough]

I have to say, I'm almost relieved to see that there is very little coverage since Heath left New York. His family is doing a remarkable job of keeping everything quiet. They are looking after their son/brother in the way he would want - with total privacy. God Bless them all.

ditto!

 

[Hadey]

7.3 Bringing the Body into Australia

The funeral director will usually deal with all the formalities by liaising with a funeral director in the country of death. It will be very difficult to arrange the transfer without a funeral director involved.

The body will have to pass conditions set by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. An official death certificate should accompany the body. Foreign death certificates are formally valid in Australia.

The body is embalmed and is kept in inner and outer containers. The inner container is hermetically sealed while the outer container is in the form of a coffin or crate. A non infectious disease certificate and an embalming certificate from the overseas health authorities must be obtained.

If the deceased had travel or business insurance, check the terms of the policy.

This is why Heath Ledgers body is in a crate.

 

[JinxieJada]

7.3 Bringing the Body into Australia


The body is embalmed and is kept in inner and outer containers. The inner container is hermetically sealed while the outer container is in the form of a coffin or crate.

Thanks for the info Hadey! - Wasn't sure what Hermetically sealed actually meants, went to WiKi and found that it means "airtight" and noticed this

"High-end coffins, too, are often made to be "hermetically sealed" and must be of metal or of other material with metal lining, and constructed so that when closed and fastened the coffin is completely airtight."


Does this mean - that his family cannot have an open casket at their service? Not sure if that's what they would choose - BUT *if* they did in fact "want" that, does this mean it couldn't be done. OR Is it only when it's "Closed" that it creates an airtight seal (Sort of like pantry canisters for flour,sugar etc, they can be repopened etc, but upon closing, they"seal" airtight?)

Anyone know or have experience in this stuff?



Thanks in advance!

 

[Elphaba]

We put our grandmother in one... my grandfather didn't want her exposed to any elements once she was buried. The funeral director came in and used a tool that, once the casket was closed, locked the coffin up. It was reopened for a showing and then finally locked down and sealed for the burial. Now, being as Heath was transported to a different country and custom officials have rules, authorities may not allow the coffin to be opened back up for the funeral. (or I could be wrong... I just know when my Ma died, my Pa wanted her as safe as possible and bought a coffin with a "special seal", which was mighty expensive)

 

[jilly]

Thanks Hadey and Jinxie for elaborating.

I remember reading that the family, Michelle and Matilda attended a viewing in New York. A suit was brought in for Heath. It may very well be that there will be no further viewing at their private funeral in Perth.

 

[Anniegirl]

7.3 Bringing the Body into Australia

The funeral director will usually deal with all the formalities by liaising with a funeral director in the country of death. It will be very difficult to arrange the transfer without a funeral director involved.

The body will have to pass conditions set by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. An official death certificate should accompany the body. Foreign death certificates are formally valid in Australia.

The body is embalmed and is kept in inner and outer containers. The inner container is hermetically sealed while the outer container is in the form of a coffin or crate. A non infectious disease certificate and an embalming certificate from the overseas health authorities must be obtained.

If the deceased had travel or business insurance, check the terms of the policy.

This is why Heath Ledgers body is in a crate.

Thank you for this information---very helpful :blowkiss:

 

[Anniegirl]

We have very strict customs here as we do not have a lot diseases and pests that other countries have.
As you said Fundiva the coffin would have been placed in the crate to protect it when it was strapped down in the cargo hull.

We have very strict customs here as we do not have a lot diseases and pests that other countries have.

I'm glad so many fine actors/actresses/musicians leave Aussie to come to good ole USA to live their American dream -pests invested, disease contaminated and all!:waitasec: ~

 

[dingo]

I didnt mean American germs Anniegirl...if some of the diseases such as madcow and footand mouth got into our country it would cripple us..we also have to be creaful with bugs and things are could harm our crops and such..we are a long way from nowhere remember:blowkiss:

 

[reportertype]

I didnt mean American germs Anniegirl...if some of the diseases such as madcow and footand mouth got into our country it would cripple us..we also have to be creaful with bugs and things are could harm our crops and such..we are a long way from nowhere remember:blowkiss:

That's a smart idea, spraying down the planes. I wonder why more countries don't do it.

 

[Anniegirl]

I didnt mean American germs Anniegirl...if some of the diseases such as madcow and footand mouth got into our country it would cripple us..we also have to be creaful with bugs and things are could harm our crops and such..we are a long way from nowhere remember:blowkiss:

Once I posted that I did consider that you meant as such-- sorry, just jump to defend , at any rate, this great country in which i love

Australia looks like a beautiful country.. i hope to visit someday as well as travel many countries.. not likely to happen ( because of finances) but a 'GIRL' can dream

 

[dingo]

If you ever visit our fair shores Anniegirl we will be sure to make you welcome:blowkiss: .

 

[Floh]

Most beautiful country i've ever visited, it's a great shame i never went east to Perth and beyond.

also the hardest county i've entered: they kept me for questioning for an hour before they let me in although i believe that was because my flight there was from Bangkok, through Manilla and maybe they thought me on a drug run.

i haven't entered this thread before now because i'm hearbroken at Heath Ledger's death. so wrong. he had so very much more to give and the loss of him for his beautiful daughter is incalculable.

R.I.P., Heathcliff.

 

[dingo]

Thankyou Fran for your compliments about our country......i havent seen much of it myself but that is going to change in the near future.
Im sorry you had a hard time getting in .I hope its easier for you next time:blowkiss:

 

[kazzbar]

Just to say that I think the way Heath's family and authorities have conducted his funeral arrangements is truly wonderful.Let's hope the peeps here are respectful.
RIP Mr Ledger...:blowkiss: So much talent and a life gone too early.

 

[dingo]

Theres been no news of the plane arriving so it is been kept respectfully quiet......unless its not here yet.

 

[eachandevery]

Oh, that was so sweet of Daniel Day-Lewis to acknowledge Heath in his SAG speech. He seems genuinely upset, not like Revolta's "Look at me, I'm saying something nice" little speech from a bit ago.

As far as Mary-Kate Olsen is concerned, she's damned if she makes a statement and she's damned if she doesn't. I don't think her partying is proof of anything. People handle grief differently.

 

[jilly]

Oh, that was so sweet of Daniel Day-Lewis to acknowledge Heath in his SAG speech. He seems genuinely upset, not like Revolta's "Look at me, I'm saying something nice" little speech from a bit ago.

I watched the SAG Awards too! I've never watched before but I thought tonight they were going to have a bit more of a tribute for Heath. Anyways, it was very kind of Daniel to commend Heath and dedicate his SAG Award to him. I know he was being very genuine - I saw him on Oprah last week and Heath's death has really affected him.

 

[jilly]

Theres been no news of the plane arriving so it is been kept respectfully quiet......unless its not here yet.

Thanks dingo! Let us know as soon as you hear something!