When someone dies far from home, families often feel they must do everything at once. You do not. These are the first steps, in an order that tends to reduce stress and avoid mistakes.
1. Let the authorities and the place of care do their part
If the death occurred in a hospital, nursing facility or hospice, the staff will guide you through the immediate steps. If it occurred elsewhere, local authorities will be involved. Ask them which funeral home will receive the person into care, or whether you may choose one.
2. Choose a licensed funeral home
A licensed funeral home cares for the deceased and handles essential paperwork. In Florida, for example, the funeral director who first takes custody of the body is responsible for obtaining the burial-transit permit. You may choose the funeral home. Ask for its General Price List.
3. Decide, or at least discuss, where the person will be laid to rest
If the final resting place is in another state or country, it is worth contacting a shipping coordinator early. We can tell you what will be involved before you commit to anything.
4. Gather the basic information
- The person’s full legal name, date of birth and date and place of death.
- Identification, if available.
- The destination city and country.
- The name and phone number of the receiving funeral home or family contact.
5. Order enough copies of the death certificate
Ask the funeral home how many certified copies to request. Different parties may each need one.
6. Call us
Tell us where the person is, where they need to go and when services are planned. We will explain the process, the likely documents and what we need from you. Our line is open at all hours: 786-565-9525.
What you do not need to do alone
Nobody expects a grieving family to be an expert on permits, consulates and airline cargo rules. That is our work. For an overview of the whole process, read What Is Human Remains Shipping?, and for questions to bring to any provider, see Questions to Ask a Funeral Shipping Company.
Your first 72 hours, in order
| When | What to do | Who can help |
|---|---|---|
| First hours | Confirm where your loved one is and which funeral home will receive them. | Hospital, facility or authorities. |
| Day 1 | Choose a licensed funeral home; ask for the General Price List. | Family; funeral home. |
| Day 1 | Call a shipping coordinator and describe where the person needs to go. | Funeral Shipping: 786-565-9525. |
| Day 1-2 | Gather identification and the destination contact details. | Family. |
| Day 2-3 | Review the death certificate; order certified copies. | Funeral home. |
| Day 2-3 | Contact the receiving funeral home. | Family or coordinator. |
What not to do in a rush
- Do not sign anything you have not read, especially a contract with a price you have not seen in writing.
- Do not buy a casket before checking the airline’s requirements.
- Do not assume someone else is contacting the consulate.
- Do not wait for every detail before making the first call.
Taking care of yourself too
Planning a funeral from a distance is exhausting. Ask relatives to share tasks, write down names and numbers as you go and accept help. You do not have to understand every rule; you need to know who is responsible for each step.
If the death happened abroad or far away
When a death occurs abroad, the steps begin with the local authorities, a local funeral director and, for U.S. citizens, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, which can often explain local procedures. If the family wants the person returned to the United States, a receiving funeral home here will be needed. If the death occurred in another U.S. state, the funeral home there will guide the first steps. In every case, speak with a coordinator early to understand the route.
Keeping a simple log
Keep a notebook or a note on your phone listing each call: who, when, what was said and what was promised. In the first days you will speak to many people, and a log keeps the facts straight and helps if you need to repeat information to a relative.
If the person is still in a hospital or facility
Hospitals and care facilities typically release the person to a funeral home chosen by the family, and they may ask for the funeral home’s name, a signed authorization and sometimes identification. Ask the staff what they require and how long the person can remain in their care. If you are far away, the funeral home can often handle the release with the family’s authorization. Share this information with your coordinator so that the shipping plan and the release are aligned.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I call first?
The facility or authorities where the death occurred will guide the first steps. Then call a licensed funeral home and a shipping coordinator.
Do I have to use the funeral home the hospital suggests?
No. You may choose the funeral home. Ask for the General Price List so that you can compare.
What if we cannot decide where to bury our loved one?
That is common. Tell us the options and we will explain what each would involve.
Can I call you at night?
Yes. Our line is open 24 hours, every day.
Can you help if the death happened abroad?
Tell us the situation and we will say honestly what we can do and where you may need other contacts.
Do I need a lawyer?
Not for shipping itself in most cases. If there are legal questions about authority or the estate, speak with a lawyer.
What if relatives disagree about the plan?
Try to resolve it quickly, since funeral homes and authorities will want clear instructions. A funeral home can explain who has legal authority.
Keep reading
- Questions to Ask a Funeral Shipping Company
- Working With the Originating Funeral Home
- What Is Human Remains Shipping?
- Supporting a Grieving Family During International Transport
Sources
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 contact our team 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.