Funeral Shipping
Shipping Human Remains to France
France’s foreign ministry describes the consulate’s role and the authorization to transport remains, but it does not publish a United States document checklist. Here is what it states, what we confirm on every case, and how we help.
The short version
Last reviewed: November 8, 2026.
- The French foreign ministry says the consulate gathers information on the deceased, informs the family through the police or gendarmerie in France, gives indicative costs for burial, local cremation or repatriation, and passes on contacts for local and French funeral companies.
- It says the death must usually be declared first to the local civil registry, and the consulate can then transcribe the death certificate into the French civil register. A French death certificate is not mandatory but is strongly recommended for succession, pensions and loans.
- It says the consulate or the Crisis Center issues, if necessary, an authorization to transport the body or ashes, which allows the remains to leave the country legally.
- It states that the costs of repatriating the body or ashes, and of burial abroad, remain the family’s responsibility.
Source: French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs: Décès à l’étranger (updated August 4, 2026). This page is general guidance written for the families of French nationals who die abroad. It does not give a United States document checklist, and we did not find a Miami-specific procedure page, so we confirm the current process with the consulate. Fees may not be the same today.
How a shipment to France is typically coordinated
- Contact the French consulateThe foreign ministry says the consulate is the starting point. The Crisis Center can be reached at +33 1 53 59 11 10, 24 hours a day.
- Choose a licensed funeral home in FloridaIt cares for your loved one and prepares the Florida certificates and permits.
- Declare the death locally, then transcribeThe death is first declared at the local civil registry, and the consulate can transcribe it into the French civil register.
- Authorization to transport the body or ashesThe consulate or the Crisis Center issues it if necessary, so the remains can leave legally.
- Arrange the receiving side in FranceA funeral company in France must receive the remains. Rules on entry and burial in France are set by French authorities, and we confirm them for your case.
- Book the flight and shipWe confirm the carrier, cargo cut-off and arrival airport.
Questions families commonly ask, and how we handle them
| Question | How we handle it |
|---|---|
| Which documents does France require for a shipment from Florida? | We confirm the current list with the French consulate before we quote. We do not publish a checklist we cannot verify. |
| Is a laissez-passer mortuaire needed? | Funeral-industry sources use that term. The foreign ministry page describes an authorization to transport the body or ashes instead. We confirm which document applies. |
| Are translations or apostilles needed? | Often, for US documents. See Document Translations for Destination Countries. |
| Is embalming required? | We confirm what the airline and the destination require. See Embalming and Shipping. |
| Can ashes be sent? | We confirm the documents and carrier rules. See Cremation and Shipping. |
For the general process, read Consular Documents for International Repatriation and Documents Typically Needed to Ship Human Remains.
Timing and cost factors
We do not publish a fixed price or number of days for France. The main variables are:
- The local declaration of the death and its transcription by the consulate.
- The cause and circumstances of death, since the foreign ministry says investigations can slow a repatriation.
- Flight availability, cargo cut-off and the arrival airport, and the trip onward inside the country.
- Funeral home charges at both ends, consular and document fees, translation and airline cargo charges, which may not be the same from case to case.
Read What Affects the Cost of Funeral Shipping, and How to Keep It Affordable and How Long Does Funeral Shipping Take?. For the wider region see Repatriation to Europe.
How we help families with France repatriation
We coordinate the shipping side: sequencing the documents, translations and apostilles, coordinating with the Florida funeral home and the receiving side in France, booking transport once the consulate confirms the file, and keeping you updated. We do not have an office in France, and the funeral and burial there are carried out by the receiving funeral home.
Frequently asked questions
Do you ship to France?
Yes, we coordinate repatriation to France. We confirm the current requirements and the route on every case.
Does the French government pay for repatriation?
No. The foreign ministry says the costs of repatriating the body or ashes, and of burial abroad, remain the family’s responsibility. Travel or card insurance sometimes covers repatriation, so ask your insurer.
What does the French consulate do?
According to the foreign ministry, it informs the family, gives indicative costs and funeral company contacts, can transcribe the death certificate into the French civil register, and can issue the authorization to transport the body or ashes.
Do I need a French death certificate?
The foreign ministry says it is not mandatory but is strongly recommended for matters such as succession, pensions and loans.
What documents does France list for the United States?
We did not find a United States checklist on the official page, so we confirm the current list with the consulate for each case.
How long does it take?
The foreign ministry says the repatriation time can vary and depends on several factors, and a natural death is generally quicker than a crime, suicide or accident. We cannot promise a fixed date.
Arrange repatriation to France
Tell us where your loved one is and where in France the funeral will be held. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.