Category: For Families

Behind every shipment is a family in grief, often far from the place where they hoped to say goodbye. The paperwork and logistics matter, but how a family is treated matters just as much.

Key takeaways

• Clear, honest and timely updates matter as much as the logistics.
• Tell us about religious, cultural and language needs at the start.
• We are not grief counselors, but we can point you toward support through the funeral home or your faith community.

Clear, honest communication

Uncertainty is often harder to bear than bad news. We explain what is happening, what comes next and what we do not yet know. When there is a delay, such as a consulate waiting on a document, we tell you promptly.

One point of contact

Grieving people should not have to repeat the story to several offices. A single coordinator who knows the case gives the family someone to call and keeps the funeral homes and the carrier informed.

Respect for beliefs and customs

Families have specific religious and cultural practices around death, timing, washing, viewing and burial. Tell us about them early. We pass them to the funeral homes and consider them when planning the route and schedule.

Care in how we speak

The remains are a person, not a shipment, and we speak of them that way. Our language with families, with funeral homes and with carriers reflects that.

Practical help that lightens the load

• We tell you which documents are needed and help you obtain them.
• We handle the airline and funeral home coordination.
• We give you the information you need to share with relatives.
• We stay available at night and on weekends: 786-565-9525.

Support for the family beyond logistics

We are not grief counselors, and we do not pretend to be. If it would help, ask the funeral home or your faith community about bereavement support, and many hospitals and hospices offer grief services as well.

Related reading

If you are at the beginning, read First Steps When a Loved One Dies Far From Home. To think about the future, see Planning Ahead: Making Repatriation Wishes Known.

What support looks like in practice

Moment	What the family needs	What we aim to provide
First call	Calm, clear guidance	A patient explanation of the next steps.
Waiting for documents	Updates	Honest status reports, even when there is no news.
Flight booked	Certainty about the schedule	Flight details and who will receive the shipment.
Delay or change	Prompt notice	A call explaining what happened and the new plan.
Arrival	Confirmation	Notice that the shipment arrived and was received.

Speaking with children and relatives

Families often have to explain what is happening to children and relatives who live far away. Funeral homes and counselors can offer advice on how to talk with children. A clear, honest explanation of where the person is going and when the funeral will be can help everyone feel included.

Language and culture

Our families come from many places, and many are more comfortable in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, French or another language. Tell us which language you prefer, and we will let you know what we can offer. If an interpreter is needed for an official step, we will tell you.

When the family is far away

Many families cannot travel right away because of work, visas or health. We keep in touch by phone and message, send written updates and coordinate with the receiving funeral home so that decisions can be made remotely. If the family cannot attend the funeral, ask the receiving funeral home about options such as a recorded service or video.

A final word

Shipping logistics will never take away a family’s grief, but good coordination can make the days after a death less chaotic. Our aim is to handle the details carefully and to treat every family with respect.

Small acts that make a difference

Little things matter to a grieving family: returning a call when promised, using the person’s name respectfully, explaining a delay before being asked and thanking relatives for their patience. We try to do these consistently, and we welcome feedback if we fall short. If something about the process concerns you, tell us, and we will address it.

Frequently asked questions

Can you speak with other relatives for us?

Yes, with the family’s permission. Tell us whom to contact.

Will I receive updates without having to call?

We aim to keep you informed as steps are completed. Tell us how you prefer to be contacted.

What if I cannot decide on something?

Tell us. We will explain the options and the deadlines so that you can decide when you are ready.

Do you offer grief counseling?

No. The funeral home, your faith community or a local hospice may be able to point you to bereavement support.

Can I call you at any hour?

Yes. Our line is open 24 hours a day: 786-565-9525.

Can you speak to my relatives who do not speak English?

Tell us the language and we will see what we can arrange.

Can I change my mind about a decision?

Often yes, though some changes affect cost or timing. Tell us as soon as possible.

Keep reading

• First Steps When a Loved One Dies Far From Home
• Planning Ahead: Making Repatriation Wishes Known
• How Long Does Funeral Shipping Take?

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.

It is not an easy subject, but families who talk about it in advance spare their loved ones many difficult decisions later. If someone in your family wishes to be buried in their country of origin, making that known clearly is one of the kindest things they can do.

Key takeaways

• Write down where you wish to rest and tell at least one trusted person.
• Keep identification, policies and contacts together in a known place.
• Check whether a prepaid plan or insurance covers transport to another state or country.

Why it helps

When a death occurs, the family has little time and a great deal of emotion. If the person’s wishes are known, the family can focus on grieving, rather than debating what the person would have wanted. It also avoids disagreement among relatives and lets the family start the shipping process earlier.

What to put in writing

• Where the person wishes to be buried or where ashes should be placed.
• Whether they prefer burial or cremation.
• The name and contact details of a funeral home or relative at the destination.
• Any religious or cultural requirements.
• Who in the family should make the arrangements.

Documents to keep together

Keep important documents where the family can find them: passports and identification, birth certificate, immigration documents, and any burial plot or prepaid arrangement paperwork. If the person has a pre-need plan with a funeral home, find out whether it covers shipping and what it does not.

Talk to a funeral home

Funeral homes can explain pre-arrangement options and give you a General Price List. Ask whether the plan can be used if the person dies away from the home area or abroad.

Tell the family

A document no one knows about does not help. Make sure at least one trusted relative knows where the wishes and papers are, and how to reach the funeral home and a shipping coordinator.

We are here to answer questions

You do not need to be facing a death to call us. We can explain what repatriation involves for your destination so that your plans are realistic. See What Does Repatriation of Human Remains Mean? and First Steps When a Loved One Dies Far From Home.

A planning worksheet

Item	Your decision	Who should know
Final resting place		Family and executor
Burial or cremation		Family and funeral home
Funeral home here		Family
Funeral home or contact at destination		Family and coordinator
Religious or cultural instructions		Family and religious leader
Documents location		Executor and one relative
Funding: insurance or prepaid plan		Executor

Print or copy this worksheet and fill it in with the people it affects. A conversation at the kitchen table is worth more than a perfect document that nobody has seen.

Documents to keep together

• Passport and national ID.
• Birth certificate and marriage certificate.
• Immigration documents.
• Burial plot deeds or cemetery contracts.
• Prepaid funeral contracts and insurance policies.
• Names and phone numbers of relatives at the destination.

Check what your plan covers

If someone has a prepaid funeral plan or a life insurance policy, ask whether it covers transportation to another state or country. Many plans are written for local services only. Ask the provider in writing, and keep the answer with the documents.

Starting the conversation

It can help to begin with a simple question, such as: if something happened to you, where would you want to rest? Listening matters more than solving everything in one conversation. Take notes, thank the person for sharing their wishes and come back to details another day.

Making it practical

After the conversation, put the key points into the worksheet above, share it with a trusted relative and store the documents in a known place. If the plan involves another country, contact a funeral home or a coordinator to learn what would be needed, and update the plan if requirements change.

Common worries, honestly answered

People often worry that planning will upset the family, that the plan will become out of date, or that it will be too expensive. A short conversation does not commit anyone to anything, and plans can be updated. Knowing what would be involved, including the likely documents and the choices to be made, can reduce anxiety. If you are not ready to plan, you can still write down where you would like to be buried and tell one person you trust.

Frequently asked questions

Is it too early to plan?

No. Planning ahead does not cause anything to happen; it spares your family hard decisions later.

Should the wishes be written down?

Yes, and shared. A written statement helps the family, though legal formalities vary by place; ask a lawyer if you want it to be legally binding.

Do I need to choose a shipping company now?

No, but you can speak with us to learn what would be involved.

Can wishes change?

Yes. Review the plan from time to time and after major life changes.

Who should hold the documents?

The executor or a trusted relative, with a second person who knows where to find them.

Can I prepay the shipping?

Ask a funeral home about pre-need plans and ask us whether we can discuss your situation in advance.

What if the destination country changes its rules?

That is why it is helpful to review the plan periodically and to speak with a coordinator when the time comes.

Keep reading

• First Steps When a Loved One Dies Far From Home
• Cremation and Shipping: What Families Should Know
• What Does Repatriation of Human Remains Mean?

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.

Cremation is a common choice, particularly when a family wants to carry a loved one home or divide remains among relatives. It changes the shipping rules, though, and the options differ depending on whether cremation happens before or after transport.

Option 1: ship first, cremate at the destination

The remains travel in a suitable container as described in Airline-Acceptable Containers, and cremation takes place at the destination under local law. This approach means the shipment follows the rules for non-cremated remains.

Option 2: cremate first, ship the cremated remains

Cremated remains are lighter, easier to handle and subject to simpler rules in many places. Several practical points apply:

• Air travel with a passenger. The Transportation Security Administration lists cremated remains as allowed in carry-on and checked bags, and recommends a container that does not produce an opaque image on the X-ray, such as one made of wood or plastic. TSA officers will not open a container. Some airlines do not allow cremated remains in checked bags, so confirm with the airline.
• Mail. The U.S. Postal Service states that cremated remains must be shipped using Priority Mail Express (or Priority Mail Express International) and, under its current rules, in its Cremated Remains box. For international mail, the destination country must allow cremated remains. Check USPS for the current requirements.
• Documents. Airlines and destination countries commonly ask for a death certificate and a certificate of cremation. Requirements vary, so ask us about the specific destination.
• Importing into the U.S. The CDC does not require a permit for cremated remains, among other categories.

Choosing between the options

The choice depends on the family’s wishes, religious practice, the destination’s rules and cost. Some countries have restrictions or customs about cremation, so check before deciding. A receiving funeral home can tell you what is permitted locally.

A note about costs and timing

Cremation adds its own steps, such as authorization forms and processing time, and the cost differs from shipping non-cremated remains. Ask the funeral home for its General Price List.

Talk to us first

Because the best option depends on your situation, we suggest speaking with us before the cremation is scheduled. See also What Is a Burial-Transit Permit? and Embalming and Shipping.

Cremated remains: ways to travel compared

Method	What the sources say	Watch for
Carry-on bag	TSA lists cremated remains as allowed in carry-on bags.	The container must not produce an opaque X-ray image; TSA officers will not open it.
Checked bag	TSA lists cremated remains as allowed in checked bags.	Some airlines do not allow cremated remains in checked bags.
U.S. Mail	USPS requires Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail Express International.	Current rules call for the USPS Cremated Remains box; confirm before sending.
Cargo or courier	Rules vary by carrier and destination.	Ask the carrier and the destination.
Entering the U.S.	The CDC does not require a permit for cremated remains.	Other documents may still be requested.

Choosing a container

TSA suggests a container made of a lightweight material, such as wood or plastic, that does not produce an opaque image. A sealed, sift-proof container is also a sensible choice for any trip. Your funeral home or crematory can recommend options.

Documents to keep with the cremated remains

• Certificate of cremation.
• Death certificate or certified copy.
• Identification of the person carrying or sending the remains.
• Any letters or permits required by the destination.

Dividing and scattering ashes

Some families divide cremated remains among relatives or plan to scatter them. Rules on scattering vary by place and by country, and some require permission. If you plan to scatter ashes abroad, ask the local authorities or the receiving funeral home what is allowed before you travel.

Keepsakes and jewelry

Small portions of cremated remains are sometimes placed in keepsakes. USPS notes that its cremated-remains rules apply to ashes in any form, including jewelry or keepsakes, when mailed. Ask the funeral home about handling and documentation.

Planning ahead with the funeral home and crematory

If you are considering cremation, ask the funeral home and the crematory what authorizations are needed, who must sign them, how long the process takes and what documents you will receive afterward. Ask whether the certificate of cremation will be provided and when. Because destinations differ in whether they accept cremated remains and under what conditions, speak with us before scheduling the cremation if you plan to travel with the remains or send them abroad.

Frequently asked questions

Can I carry ashes on a plane?

TSA allows cremated remains in carry-on and checked bags, subject to screening rules and airline policy. Check with your airline.

Can ashes be mailed?

Within USPS rules, only by Priority Mail Express, with the current required packaging. Confirm on the USPS website.

Can I divide the ashes among relatives?

That is a decision for the family and the funeral home. Each portion then travels under the same rules.

Do I need documents to bring ashes abroad?

Often yes. A certificate of cremation and a death certificate are commonly requested.

Is cremation allowed in every country?

No. Some countries restrict or condition it. Confirm before deciding.

Do I need to declare ashes at customs?

Rules vary by country. Ask the destination’s consulate or customs authority before you travel.

Can ashes be shipped without a funeral home?

Some steps need documents that a funeral home or crematory provides. Ask us about your plan.

Keep reading

• Embalming and Shipping: Why It May Be Required
• Airline-Acceptable Containers: What Families Should Know
• What Is a Burial-Transit Permit?
• Planning Ahead: Making Repatriation Wishes Known

Sources

• TSA: Cremated Remains
• USPS: Shipping Cremated Remains and Ashes
• CDC: Importation of Human Remains

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 international repatriation 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.

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

• Florida Statutes section 382.006: Burial-transit permit

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.

Choosing a company to move a loved one is not something most people have done before. These questions help families and funeral directors understand what a provider does, what a quote covers, and what could go wrong.

Key takeaways

• Ask for a written quote that lists what is included and what is not.
• Be cautious of any provider that promises a delivery date before seeing the documents.
• Write down the answers so you can compare providers calmly.

Questions about services

• Do you ship to my destination country, and how often?
• Which parts of the process do you handle, and which are left to the family or the funeral home?
• Who will be my single point of contact, and how can I reach them at night or on weekends?
• Do you coordinate directly with the funeral homes at both ends?

Questions about the quote

• What exactly is included in this price?
• What costs are separate, such as airline charges, funeral home services, consular fees and translations?
• What could change the price after I accept?
• When is payment due, and what is the refund policy if plans change?

Questions about documents and timing

• Which documents will be needed for this destination?
• Who will obtain each one?
• What is the realistic range for timing, and what could affect it?
• How will I be updated along the way?

Questions about the funeral home

Funeral homes must give you a General Price List under the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule. Ask for it so you can see which charges belong to the funeral home and which belong to the shipping provider.

Red flags

• A guaranteed delivery date promised before the provider has seen the documents.
• A price quoted without asking for the destination.
• Pressure to decide immediately.
• Unwillingness to put the scope of work and costs in writing.

What we will tell you

We answer these questions plainly. We ship to destinations worldwide and specialize in the Caribbean, Central and South America and Europe, and we will tell you honestly if a request is outside what we can do. For more, see What Affects the Cost of Funeral Shipping and How Long Does Funeral Shipping Take?.

A comparison sheet you can use

Question	Provider A	Provider B
Ships to my destination?
Single point of contact?
Quote in writing?
What is included?
What is excluded?
Realistic timing range?
Available nights and weekends?
Refund or change policy?

Copy the table into a note or a spreadsheet and fill it in as you speak with each provider. Writing the answers down makes comparison easier when you are tired and under pressure.

Questions for the funeral home

• May I have your General Price List?
• Which services are required for this shipment and why?
• Have you prepared remains for air transport before?
• Who will obtain the burial-transit permit and when?
• Whom do I call after hours?

Questions for the receiving side

• Are you able to receive on the expected date?
• What documents do you need from us?
• What are your fees and when are they due?
• What local rules apply to burial or cremation?

Warning signs and good signs

A trustworthy provider explains the process in plain terms, asks for the destination and the funeral home before quoting, puts the scope and cost in writing and tells you what it does not know. It is comfortable with you contacting the funeral home or consulate yourself to confirm. A provider that is vague about what is included, that pressures you or that promises a date it cannot control deserves caution.

Trust your instincts and take notes

You are making decisions at a hard time. Write down the name of everyone you speak with, the date and what they said. If a promise is made, ask for it in writing. If something does not feel right, it is reasonable to pause and ask another provider for a second opinion.

Questions families forget to ask

• Who will meet the shipment at the destination, and how will we know it arrived?
• What happens if the flight is cancelled or the shipment misses its cut-off?
• Who pays any additional charges that arise from delays?
• How and when will we receive copies of the documents?
• Who is responsible if a document is rejected?

These questions seem small, but they decide who acts when something unexpected happens. A provider that answers them clearly is usually one that has dealt with such cases before.

Frequently asked questions

Should I get more than one quote?

It is reasonable to compare. Make sure each quote covers the same scope.

Is the cheapest quote the best?

Not necessarily. Look at what is included, the provider’s experience with your destination and how reachable they are.

How do I know a provider is legitimate?

Ask for the business address, phone number and written terms. Be cautious of anyone who demands payment before explaining the scope of work.

What should be in writing?

The route, the services included, the costs, who pays whom and the payment and change terms.

Can I change plans later?

Ask about the change and refund policy before agreeing.

Is it rude to compare providers?

Not at all. Good providers expect it.

What should a contract include?

The services, the route, the costs, the payment terms, the change policy and the contact details. Ask for a copy.

Keep reading

• What Affects the Cost of Funeral Shipping
• How Long Does Funeral Shipping Take?
• First Steps When a Loved One Dies Far From Home

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.