[Moonman62]

But in reality, many are arriving as freight on commercial airliners -- stuffed in the belly of a plane with suitcases and other cargo.

That's standard procedure for civilians. That's how it was done for my grandfather.

[Kirkwood]

This could very likely be a civilian. This is often how they are transported on aircraft to minimize weight. Particularly if the body needs to be shipped to the location where the final resting casket is located.