Reply #22: No, that scene is very respectful [View All]

The ramp worker is standing off a very polite distance away as are the Honor Guard while the bereaved approach the casket.

Don't get too freaked out by this. Airlines ship bodies all the time, they have special pallets called an "air tray" and casket is--like it or not--another piece of freight. Airlines aren't mortuaries; they are equipped to move cargo and when the cargo happens to be a coffin they will make their best effort allow the persons receiving the deceased a private moment.

There is nothing crass or disrespectful here.

That said however, when the dead solder arrives in a military town such as San Diego, I don't think the parents should have to go to the airport; the arrival should happen on-base with full honors.