Funeral Shipping
Shipping Human Remains to Panama
Panama’s embassy publishes the original and notarized documents needed to transfer embalmed or cremated remains, with a consular fee per document. Here is what it says, and how we help.
The short version
Last reviewed: November 8, 2026.
- The Embassy of Panama in the United States lists, for embalmed remains, the original death certificate, an original health certificate, a notarized embalming certificate and a notarized burial transit permit.
- For cremated remains, it lists the original death certificate, a notarized cremation certificate and a notarized burial transit permit.
- It states a consular fee of US$30.00 per document, paid by postal money order payable to the Consulate of Panama, and asks for a prepaid envelope for the return of the documents.
- Documents are mailed to the consular office at 2862 McGill Terrace N.W., Washington, D.C.
Source: Embassy of Panama in the United States: Traslado de restos humanos. The page shows no date and does not say which office serves Florida; Panama also has a consular office in Miami whose own website we could not use, so we confirm which office handles your case. Fees may not be the same today.
How shipping human remains to Panama works
- Choose a licensed funeral home in FloridaIt embalms or arranges cremation and prepares the notarized certificates and the Florida permit.
- Get the originals and notarizationsThe embassy lists the originals and which documents must be notarized. See the table below.
- Confirm the consular officeWe confirm whether your documents go to Washington or to the Miami consular office, and the current fee.
- Mail or present the documentsWith the consular fee as a postal money order and a prepaid return envelope.
- Arrange the receiving side in PanamaA funeral home or authorized contact receives the remains and completes local procedures.
- Book the flight and shipWe confirm the carrier, cargo cut-off and arrival airport.
Documents the government lists
This table follows the embassy’s page.
| Document or item | Who usually provides it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original death certificate | Florida funeral home and the vital records office | See Why Death Certificates Matter. |
| Embalmed remains: original health certificate | Health authority, via the funeral home | Listed by the embassy. |
| Embalmed remains: notarized embalming certificate | Embalmer or funeral home | See Embalming and Shipping. |
| Notarized burial transit permit (embalmed or cremated) | Florida funeral director | See What Is a Burial-Transit Permit?. |
| Cremated remains: notarized cremation certificate | Crematory | Listed by the embassy. |
| Consular fee: US$30.00 per document, postal money order payable to the Consulate of Panama; prepaid return envelope | Applicant | Fees may not be the same today. |
The embassy lists the phone +1 (202) 483-1407 and the email info@embassyofpanama.org. The page does not say whether apostilles are also required, so we confirm with the consular office.
Timing and cost factors
We do not publish a fixed price or number of days for Panama. The main variables are:
- Notarization of the certificates and the permit, and mail time to the consular office.
- 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 Panama repatriation
We coordinate the shipping side: sequencing the documents, translations and apostilles, coordinating with the Florida funeral home and the receiving side in Panama, booking transport once the consulate confirms the file, and keeping you updated. We do not have an office in Panama, and the funeral and burial there are carried out by the receiving funeral home.
Frequently asked questions
Do you ship to Panama?
Yes, we coordinate repatriation to Panama. We confirm the current requirements and the route on every case.
Which documents does Panama list for embalmed remains?
The embassy lists an original death certificate, an original health certificate, a notarized embalming certificate and a notarized burial transit permit.
What about cremated remains?
The embassy lists the original death certificate, a notarized cremation certificate and a notarized burial transit permit. See Cremation and Shipping.
What does the consular step cost?
The embassy page states US$30.00 per document, by postal money order. Fees may not be the same today.
Do the documents need an apostille?
The embassy page does not say. We confirm with the consular office that handles your case.
How long does it take?
The page gives no processing time, so we cannot promise a fixed date.
Arrange repatriation to Panama
Tell us where your loved one is and where in Panama the funeral will be held. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.