How to Transport the Deceased From One State to Another

Moving a body across state lines requires paperwork.

Transporting the body of a deceased person across state lines is a process that can take some time and planning, to ensure it is done legally. It is legal in the United States to transport a body across state lines as long as a carrier such as rail, air or professional car service is used. Prior to moving a body, each state that the remains will pass through should be contacted. Many states require a death certificate and an out-of-state disposition permit for a body to pass through. These documents can be obtained from your local coroner. It is important to have all of this information prior to moving a body across state lines to avoid violating the law.

Things You'll Need

• Death certificate
• Disposition permit
• Proper storage for deceased

Instructions

1. Consult with a local coroner or funeral home immediately after the individual passes away, and have the body stored there. Consult the coroner or funeral director on the laws regarding transporting a body across state lines.

2. Contact the funeral home director at the body's final destination and make arrangements for the body's arrival. At this time, discuss any procedures you may need to follow regarding the death certificate or transport permits in that state. You will also need to contact each state the body will pass through to learn of any additional paperwork that needs to be completed before the deceased body is put in transit. The funeral director can help you with this process and provide you with the information you need.

3. Have the local funeral home embalm the body. It is required by law to embalm a body immediately if the individual died of communicable diseases, or if the transportation process will take more than 24 hours.

4. Place the body in a proper casket prior to transporting. If the body has been cremated, place the cremains in a sealed urn.

5. Have the remains transported by a common carrier such as train, professional car service or airplane. If transporting by car, check the state laws on car transportation. Many states have laws prohibiting transfer of the body in a car not operated by a professional. Some states will not allow a friend or family member to transport the body by car, while others allow an embalmed body in a body bag, along with the death certificate and other appropriate paperwork, to be transported by a car driven by a family member. A hearse is not considered a common carrier.

References

• Death Care: How to Transport a Body Across State Lines
• Funeral Plan: Transport