The most common question we hear is how much funeral shipping costs. We do not list a single price, because the honest answer depends on the case. What we can do is explain what drives the total, so that you can compare quotes sensibly.

Why there is no flat rate

Each shipment has a different origin, destination, route, timeline and set of requirements. A domestic shipment between two cities with direct flights and an international shipment requiring consular approval and multiple connections are not comparable. For that reason, quotes are prepared case by case.

The main factors that affect cost

Distance and route. Where the person is and where they are going, and whether direct flights are available.
Destination country. Some countries require extra documents, consular fees or specific preparation.
Preparation and container. The funeral home’s services and the type of container the airline accepts.
Carrier charges. Airlines set their own cargo rates, which can vary by route and weight.
Documents and fees. Death certificates, permits, consular fees and translations are each priced separately.
Timing. A tight schedule may limit the choice of flights and add cost.
Services at both ends. The originating and receiving funeral homes each charge for their work.

Funeral home charges are separate

Funeral homes charge for their own services, and their prices vary. Under the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, a funeral home must give you a General Price List that is yours to keep, listing the items and services it offers and the cost of each. Asking for it early lets you compare and understand which charges belong to the funeral home and which to shipping.

What a good quote includes

A useful quote spells out what is included and what is not: who pays the airline, who pays the funeral homes, which documents are covered, and what could change the price. For a list of questions to bring to any provider, see Questions to Ask a Funeral Shipping Company.

Getting an accurate number

To receive a realistic quote, we need the origin and destination, the funeral home if known, the target dates, and whether burial or cremation is planned. Send those details through our quote form, or call us at 786-565-9525 any time.

Where the costs come from

Cost category	Who is paid	What can change it
Funeral home services	Originating funeral home	Services chosen, preparation required, container.
Airline cargo charges	Airline	Route, weight, season, number of connections.
Documents and permits	Registrar, consulate, translators	Number of copies, destination requirements, urgency.
Ground transportation	Transport provider	Distance, pickups and deliveries.
Coordination	Shipping company	Complexity of the case.
Receiving funeral home	Destination funeral home	Local services and fees.

How to compare quotes fairly

Two quotes can look different without being different. One may include the airline and funeral home charges while another excludes them. Ask each provider to state what is included, what is excluded and what could change the price. A lower number that leaves out the largest items is not a lower price.

Affordable funeral shipping: practical ways to keep the cost down

If you are looking for low cost funeral shipping, the first thing to know is that the lowest number on a quote is not always the lowest total. Affordable does not have to mean cheapest. It means paying a fair price for what you actually need, with no surprises. These steps help families do that without cutting corners on dignity or on the paperwork that keeps a shipment moving.

Ask for an itemized quote. A single total hides where the money goes. Ask for each charge listed separately: funeral home services, container, airline cargo, documents and permits, translations, and coordination.
Compare the same scope. A lower quote that leaves out the airline or the funeral home is not a lower price. Put quotes side by side and check what is missing.
Start early. Rushing can narrow flight choices and add expedited fees. Calling a coordinator before every detail is final lets work begin on the parts that do not depend on the death certificate.
Ask about container options. Weight and size affect airline charges. Ask the funeral home whether a simpler or lighter container is acceptable for your route, and whether a casket can be purchased at the destination instead of shipped. Check with the airline first, because requirements vary.
Request the General Price List. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home must give you one that you can keep. Choose only the services you need.
Check what already covers you. Life insurance, an employer, a union, a prepaid funeral plan or a travel insurance policy may help with transport costs. Ask in writing what each covers.
Weigh burial and cremation honestly. Cremation before or after transport changes the logistics and the paperwork, and the cost difference varies by route and destination. Ask for quotes for each option, and decide on wishes and faith first, then price. See Cremation and Shipping.
Be cautious of pressure. A provider that demands payment before explaining what is included, or that cannot tell you what could change the price, is a warning sign. See Questions to Ask a Funeral Shipping Company.

If you want an itemized estimate for your route, request a quote or call 786-565-9525 at any hour. We explain what each charge covers and what could change it.

Why quotes sometimes change

A quote is a statement of cost based on the facts at the time. If the facts change, so can the price. Examples include a different destination, a change of airline because of capacity, an added document or translation, a request to speed up the schedule or a new funeral home. We try to tell you what could change the price at the start, and to tell you promptly if something does.

What to ask before you pay

What exactly will I receive for this payment?
Which charges are paid directly to others, such as the funeral home or the airline?
What happens if plans change or the shipment is delayed?
Is there a written agreement I can keep?

A worked example of how to compare two quotes

Imagine two quotes for the same route. Quote one is lower, but excludes the funeral home’s charges and the airline’s cargo fee. Quote two is higher, but lists every item. When you add the missing items to quote one, the two may be close, or quote one may be more expensive. Always ask each provider for a line-by-line list, and ask what is not included. We recommend putting the two lists side by side before deciding. This is not about finding the lowest number; it is about knowing what you will actually pay and what you will receive.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a low cost way to ship a body?

There is no single cheapest method, because the right choice depends on the route, the destination and your wishes. The steps above, especially itemized quotes, starting early and asking about container options, are the most reliable ways to keep the total fair.

Do you give a price over the phone?

We can give guidance, but an accurate quote needs the origin, destination, funeral home and dates.

Is cremation cheaper than shipping a body?

It can change the cost, but not always in the way families expect, and the choice should be based on wishes and religious practice as well as price. Ask for quotes for each option.

Are there hidden fees?

A good quote lists all known charges. Ask what could change the price, such as fees that depend on the consulate or the airline.

Can payment be arranged in stages?

Ask us about payment terms for your situation.

Does the funeral home charge separately?

Yes. The funeral home’s services are separate from shipping and are listed on its General Price List.

Can I get a payment plan?

Ask us about terms for your situation.

Do I pay the airline directly?

It depends on how the shipment is arranged. Your quote should state who is paid for what.

Keep reading

Sources

Federal Trade Commission: The FTC Funeral Rule

Need help?

Funeral Shipping coordinates domestic and international funeral shipping, including the supporting documents, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Learn more about our request a quote services, request a quote, or call 786-565-9525.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by destination, carrier and circumstances and can change. Always confirm current rules with the relevant authority, and note that no timing or outcome is guaranteed.

What Affects the Cost of Funeral Shipping, and How to Keep It Affordable