A devastated family from Manchester has launched a scathing attack on Ryanair after the budget airline refused to transport their stillborn baby's body home from Spain, leaving them stranded and heartbroken during their darkest hour.
A Holiday Tragedy Turns Into Administrative Nightmare
What should have been a joyful family vacation to Alicante turned into unimaginable tragedy when Stacy Barrass suffered a stillbirth at just 18 weeks pregnant. The family's grief was compounded when Ryanair informed them they couldn't transport the baby's remains back to the UK for burial.
"We were told it was company policy not to carry human remains," explained Stacy's mother, Leanne Barrass. "We felt completely abandoned and had to navigate this horrific situation alone in a foreign country."
The Heart-Wrenching Journey Home
The family faced an impossible choice: leave their baby behind in Spain or find alternative arrangements. After extensive research and additional costs, they discovered they could transport the remains as hand luggage in a specific type of container.
- Required to purchase special medical packaging
- Forced to pay extra baggage fees
- Faced additional accommodation costs while arranging transport
- Endured emotional distress throughout the process
Ryanair's Response Sparks Public Outrage
Despite the family's traumatic experience, Ryanair offered only a standard €200 (£170) goodwill gesture, which the family described as "insulting" given their circumstances. The airline maintained they followed standard procedure but has since faced mounting criticism.
"No family should ever have to go through this," Leanne stated. "We're speaking out to prevent other families from experiencing similar trauma."
Calls for Industry-Wide Policy Reform
The case has highlighted significant gaps in airline policies regarding humanitarian transport. Aviation experts suggest that clearer guidelines and compassionate exceptions are needed for such exceptional circumstances.
- Review of current airline policies on human remains transport
- Implementation of compassionate case protocols
- Staff training for handling bereaved passengers
- Clear communication of available options
The family continues to seek meaningful changes in airline policies, hoping their painful experience might spare others similar heartache in the future.
