A British man has alleged that officials at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) confiscated the ashes of his husband – who had died on their honeymoon – during a security screening after they failed to recognise him as next-of-kin.
Marco Bulmer-Rizzi, 38, told Buzzfeed News that he was in Hong Kong on Jan. 22 for a stopover on his way from Australia to the UK when security staff questioned him about the box containing the remains of his husband, David Bulmer-Rizzi.
David had died in Australia a week before, but because the country doesn’t recognise same-sex marriage meant his death certificate stated that he was “never married”. His widower told Buzzfeed News that he had appealed to the British Foreign Office to ease his journey home by providing him with documentation stating he was David’s next-of-kin, but his request was denied.
Bulmer-Rizzi recalls that he was taken aside by HKIA staff and asked what was in the box, to which he replied, “These are human remains. It’s my husband. My husband died while we were in Australia.”
After the guard repeated her question, Bulmer-Rizzi reportedly showed her his late husband’s passport. However, the official allegedly replied, “No. I’m gonna take [the box] away.” The 38-year-old asked to speak to her supervisor, who reportedly questioned him again on the nature of his relationship with David. When he replied with the same answer, she allegedly asked, “What do you mean, ‘your husband’?”
Apart from David’s passport, Bulmer-Rizzi said his only relevant documentation was a note from the funeral home stating that “David’s body had been cremated and the remains I had were human”.
After examining the funeral home’s note and David’s passport, the supervisor reportedly released the ashes back into Bulmer-Rizzi’s care. The widower has since filed a complaint with HKIA, saying that the incident should have never taken place.
Following news of Bulmer-Rizzi’s experience, Jay Weatherill, premier of South Australia, reportedly called him personally and promised to change the law “in months” to recognise overseas same-sex marriages.
In the meantime, Bulmer-Rizzi has been issued with an interim death certificate to reflect his husband’s marital status.
David Bulmer-Rizzi, 32, fell down a flight of stairs at a friend’s house in Adelaide, and cracked his skull open. He died at Royal Adelaide Hospital on Jan. 16.
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