How to Ship a Body for Burial

Shipping a body is the responsibility of the funeral home.

When a loved one dies away from home, it can be a frightening experience. You may wonder how you will get your loved one's body to the local funeral home, if the remains will be treated with dignity in transport and if your deceased will be lost along the way. In shipping a body for a funeral, it is important to learn the proper procedures to ensure a worry-free shipping experience.

Instructions

1. Contact the funeral homes where your loved one died. You may need to call around to find a funeral home experienced in shipping a body for burial.

2. Instruct the funeral home you have chosen to bury the body to contact the funeral home you choose to ship the body. Your funeral director can make proper arrangements for shipping and has experience in dealing with other funeral directors. If you try to make arrangements yourself, you may be subject to unnecessary fees.

3. Determine if you want the body embalmed prior to shipping or after the body has arrived at its burial location. If you choose not to have the body embalmed prior to the flight, the body must be refrigerated. Check state laws regarding body transport. Some states have laws that require embalming prior to shipping.

4. Incorporate the cost of shipping the body into your total funeral budget. Shipping human remains can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $6,000 when shipping a body from one state to another. Human remains are considered freight and are charged by the pound and by the dimensions of the casket. International shipping is the most expensive and costs may exceed $10,000.

References

• US Funerals: When Death Occurs Away From Home
• Mortuary Shipping: Funeral Shipping Advice For Consumers