FIAT- IFTA provides advocacy, education, information, products, programs and services to help Members to enhance the quality of service to bereaved families in all countries. We are happy to share a testimony on how FIAT-IFTA contributed to change regulations in Malta to allow for FlexcoSeal Repatriation Foil for International transportation of Human Remains.

Camilleri Funeral Directors, the FIAT - IFTA National member for Malta, is a pioneer in the field of repatriation services in Malta and a recognized leader in the field for decades.
Johann Camilleri, Managing Director writes:

“Since 2018 we have tried to introduce the use of FlexCoSeal Repatriation foil to replace traditional zinc lining for hermetic sealing of remains in preparation for international transportation. For years we repeatedly highlighted the numerous benefits of using this product and sealing system as opposed to zinc lining, without any success.

In November 2022 I approached the Executive-Secretary for FIAT-IFTA, Emerson De Luca and together we wrote a declaration which we presented to the Maltese health authorities.

We highlighted the benefits of FlexCoSeal which included:

• Hermetic sealing process which is airtight, hygienic, 100% waterproof and tearproof.
• Lighter than zinc lined coffins which make it easier to handle and consumes less fuel during international transport.
• Less harmful to the staff involved in the sealing process.
• Less harmful to the environment on discarding.
• Easier to open for presentation of the deceased to their families (when applicable).
• Cremation friendly which is especially important for countries that do not allow coffins to be opened on arrival.

The authorities were very receptive of the letter as it was presented by a non-profit organization, having the scope of improving the overall functions of funeral related services. Furthermore, the association, having the backing of numerous members, gave the authorities peace of mind knowing that the product and the sealing system has been tried and tested without issues.

By January 2023, FlexCoSeal was accepted by Maltese Health authorities and our national carrier and is now the standard system used in most of repatriation services from Malta. We are very happy with this new sealing system which has made necessary preparations more cost effective, simpler and safer for all those involved in the process.

Our appreciation goes out to FIAT-IFTA Executive Secretary Emerson De Luca and President Marek Chichewicz for their support in this endeavor, for helping us to demonstrate to the authorities the importance of this change and convince them to accept the changes and improve the systems in our field.

A copy of the letter prepared by FIAT-IFTA can be found on this link