How to Transport a Body Across State Lines After Death

Check state laws before transporting a body across state lines.

Transporting a body across state lines is legal provided a common carrier such as a railway, an airline or a car service is utilized. Each state regulates procedures regarding the transport of a body, so each state the remains pass through should be consulted. In some states, a death certificate and out-of-state disposition permit is required. Both may be obtained through a local coroner or funeral home director where the remains are being held. Embalming is not always required before transport takes place.

Things You'll Need

• Death certificate
• Disposition permit, where required

Instructions

1. Consult with the local coroner or funeral home director where the deceased's remains are being held regarding laws to transport a body across state lines. Consult with the funeral home director at your destination as well. Procedures and required documents, such as a death certificate and transport permit, might vary state to state. It is best to contact each state the remains will pass through to learn about any additional paperwork that should be completed before moving the body.

2. Embalming the remains is not required by law but is necessary in death by communicable disease or if it will take more than 24 hours to transport the remains. It is advisable to place the remains in a casket before transport. Cremated remains may be transported in a sealed urn as long as the carrier has the appropriate paperwork.

3. Transport remains by common carriers such as rail, car and air. In some states, an embalmed body in a body bag, with the appropriate paperwork, is allowed to travel by a car driven by a family member. A hearse only transports non-paying customers and is not considered a common carrier.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with each state the body will pass through to learn the transport laws. Consult with both the funeral director holding the remains and the destination funeral director for additional information and procedures.

• Transporting a body across state lines is not something you can do immediately. It takes a little pre-planning to ensure it is done legally.

References

• DeathCare.com: How to Transport a Body Across State Lines
• Funeral Help Program: The Consumer's Guide to Going in Style, Without Going Into Debt
• Funeral Plan.com: Transporting a Body Across State Lines
• LifeTips.com: Shipping Services