Funeral Shipping
Shipping Human Remains to Mexico
Repatriation to Mexico is coordinated through the Mexican consulate, with apostilled documents, Spanish translations and a funeral home on each side. Here is what the Government of Mexico publishes and how we help.
The short version
Last reviewed: November 7, 2026.
- The Government of Mexico says its embassy or consulate offers guidance and support to the family, and that the decision between shipping the body or cremation belongs exclusively to the direct family. It notes that cremation and shipping ashes costs much less.
- The documents named are the death certificate with an apostille, an embalming or cremation certificate, and a transit permit for the body or ashes, with a Spanish translation if they were issued in another language.
- The family or funeral home presents the documents to the nearest Mexican consulate to obtain the consular visas on the transit permit and on the embalming or cremation certificate.
- One funeral home handles embalming or cremation where the person died, and another receives the remains in Mexico.
Sources: Government of Mexico: Traslado de restos de una persona a México; and Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta: Traslado de restos humanos a México (2025). Consulates may add their own details, and fees may not be the same today. We confirm what the Mexican consulate in Miami requires for your case.
How shipping human remains to Mexico works
- Contact the Mexican consulate and choose funeral homesThe family can ask the nearest consulate for guidance. One funeral home in Florida prepares the remains, and another in Mexico receives them.
- Show identity and relationshipThe Government of Mexico lists the deceased’s birth certificate (or a signed family declaration of nationality) and the official ID of the person requesting the transfer.
- Prepare the documentsThe death certificate with an apostille, an embalming or cremation certificate, and a transit permit, translated into Spanish where needed. See the table below.
- Consular visasThe documents are presented to the Mexican consulate, which places visas on the transit permit and on the embalming or cremation certificate.
- Mexican death certificate where neededThe government recommends always requesting a Mexican death certificate from the consulate, and says it is necessary if the remains go to Mexico City and its metropolitan area.
- Book the flight and shipWe confirm the carrier, cargo cut-off and arrival details, and send them to the funeral home in Mexico.
Documents the Mexican government lists
This table combines the Government of Mexico’s national brochure with the Atlanta consulate’s 2025 guidance. Each consulate can add its own details, so we confirm the list with the Miami consulate before we quote.
| Document or item | Who usually provides it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Death certificate with apostille | Florida funeral home and the vital records office; apostille through Florida authorities | The Government of Mexico says the apostille authenticates documents for use abroad. See our Dominican Republic guide for how Florida apostilles work. |
| Embalming certificate or cremation certificate | Funeral home or crematory | The government says the cremation certificate is not always necessary, but airlines or customs sometimes ask for it. |
| Transit permit for the body or ashes | Florida funeral director | See What Is a Burial-Transit Permit?. The Atlanta consulate says it should show the place of final disposition. |
| Spanish translations | Qualified translator | The Atlanta consulate asks for originals translated into Spanish, with all documents notarized. See Document Translations for Destination Countries. |
| Birth certificate of the deceased, or a signed declaration of nationality | Family | Listed by the Government of Mexico to start the process. |
| Official ID of the person requesting the transfer | Family | Listed by the Government of Mexico. |
| Mexican death certificate from the consulate | Mexican consulate | Recommended by the government; necessary for Mexico City and its metropolitan area. |
The Mexican Consulate General in Miami says its Protection Department offers guidance Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., without an appointment, with urgent-case numbers 786 268 4899, 786 268 4897, 786 268 4898 and 786 268 4901, and 305 979 1534 for emergencies after 6:00 p.m. and on weekends (Consulate General of Mexico in Miami: Protección consular). Please confirm current hours and numbers with the consulate.
Shipping the body or cremating first
Mexican authorities say the decision belongs to the direct family and that cremation and sending ashes cost much less. The Atlanta consulate adds that a casket purchased in the United States is needed only when the health authority requires it; otherwise funeral homes can fly the remains in a compressed-wood container, so the family can buy the casket of their choice in Mexico. Ask the airline and the funeral homes before deciding. See Cremation and Shipping and Airline-Acceptable Containers.
Financial help. The Government of Mexico says that, where a family has proven financial hardship, it can decide to cover part of the cost for the repatriation of Mexican nationals. Support is paid directly to the service providers and covers only basic transport and embalming or cremation, and the family pays for extras such as ceremonies. The Atlanta consulate describes applying at the consulate with proof of the person’s identity and nationality, the applicant’s relationship, a funeral home quote and a socioeconomic questionnaire. Ask the Miami consulate whether you may qualify.
Timing and cost factors
We do not publish a fixed price or number of days. For Mexico the main variables are:
- The apostille, translation and notarization steps.
- Consular visas and any Mexican death certificate.
- Corrections to documents, or a pending investigation by local authorities, which the Atlanta consulate says can delay a transfer.
- Flight availability, cargo cut-off and the arrival city.
- Funeral home charges in Florida and in Mexico, airline cargo charges and any consular or document fees.
Read What Affects the Cost of Funeral Shipping, and How to Keep It Affordable and How Long Does Funeral Shipping Take?.
How we help families with Mexico repatriation
We coordinate the shipping side: confirming the current requirements with the Mexican consulate, sequencing the apostille, translation and consular visas, coordinating with the Florida funeral home and the funeral home in Mexico, booking transport and keeping you updated. We do not have an office in Mexico, and the funeral and burial there are carried out by the receiving funeral home.
Frequently asked questions
Do you ship to Mexico?
Yes, we coordinate repatriation to Mexico. We confirm the current requirements and the route on every case.
Which documents does Mexico require?
The Government of Mexico lists the death certificate with an apostille, an embalming or cremation certificate, and a transit permit for the body or ashes, with Spanish translations where documents are in another language.
What is the consular visa?
After the family or funeral home presents the documents, the Mexican consulate places visas on the transit permit and on the embalming or cremation certificate, according to the Government of Mexico.
Do I need a Mexican death certificate?
The government recommends always requesting one from the consulate and says it is necessary if the remains go to Mexico City and its metropolitan area.
Is cremation cheaper?
The Government of Mexico says cremation and sending ashes cost much less than shipping a body. The decision belongs to the direct family.
Is a casket required?
The Atlanta consulate says a casket purchased in the United States is needed only if the health authority indicates it, and that remains can otherwise travel in a compressed-wood container so the family can buy a casket in Mexico. Airlines may have their own requirements.
Does Mexico help with the cost?
For Mexican nationals, the government says it can partly cover basic transport and embalming or cremation in cases of proven financial hardship. Ask the Miami consulate.
How long does it take?
We cannot promise a fixed timeline. It depends on the apostille, translations, consular visas and flights.
Arrange repatriation to Mexico
Tell us where your loved one is and where in Mexico the funeral will be held. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.