The cost of shipping a deceased loved one, as well as the availability of an airline, are just a few of the factors to consider when doing so. In general, airlines can handle bodies, but not all carry cargo. Coffins can typically be carried on the plane, but some airlines, such as easyJet, do not carry cargo and are therefore unlikely to carry
A large passenger aircraft, such as the Boeing 777-300, can carry up to 21,000kg of cargo, in addition to a full load of up to 442 passengers (in a two-class configuration). The cargo capacity is therefore useful to add to the revenue of each flight.