Central and South America are among the regions we specialize in. They are also regions where requirements differ widely from one country to the next, so a good plan starts with the exact country and the exact city.

Key takeaways

Start with the exact country and city of the destination.
Expect a death certificate, a burial-transit permit and often consular paperwork and translations.
Ask how far the arrival airport is from the final resting place.

Start with the destination

Latin American countries differ in what they ask for, which airlines serve them and how the final steps work. A shipment to a capital city with frequent international flights is a different undertaking from one to a smaller city that requires a domestic connection. Confirm the country and city of destination before anything else.

Documents to expect

A death certificate and a burial-transit permit are the usual starting points. Many Latin American countries also require consular paperwork, and translations into Spanish or Portuguese are common. Some ask for statements about the cause of death or the condition of the remains. Which documents apply depends on the country, and the details can change, so we confirm them case by case. See Consular Documents for International Repatriation and Document Translations for Destination Countries.

Spelling and names

Many families have two surnames or accented characters, and these must match across the death certificate, the passport, the consular papers and the translation. Mismatches are a common source of delay. Check them early.

Flights and routing

Flights from Miami and Fort Lauderdale connect to many Latin American cities, but cargo space for human remains is not guaranteed on every flight, and some routes involve a connection. See How Airlines Handle Human Remains as Cargo.

Local arrangements

A funeral home or family contact at the destination is needed to receive the shipment and handle local procedures. Sharing their details early helps. For what this role involves, read Working With the Receiving Funeral Home.

Speak with us

Tell us the country and we will explain what we understand to be required and what the next steps are. We also help families identify what to confirm directly with the consulate. Visit International Destinations or call 786-565-9525.

Regional overview

Region	Languages commonly involved	What often matters
Central America	Spanish; also English and others in parts of the region	Consular documents, translation, arrival airport and onward travel.
Andean countries	Spanish	Routing, arrival airport and consular documents; rules vary by country.
Brazil	Portuguese	Portuguese translations and consular documents; local procedures vary.
Southern Cone	Spanish	Long routes with connections; consular documents.

This table is a general orientation, not a statement of any country’s rules. Requirements are set by each country and can change, so we confirm them for the specific destination.

Documents families should gather early

Passport or national ID of the deceased, in the spelling used by the home country.
Birth certificate or other record, if the consulate asks for it.
Identification of the family member making the request.
Contact details and the license information of the receiving funeral home.
Any prior burial plot or cemetery paperwork at the destination.

Onward travel inside the destination country

Many Latin American countries are large, and the arrival airport may be far from the town where the burial will take place. The receiving funeral home usually arranges the road leg. Ask how long it will take and whether any local permits are needed for moving remains between municipalities.

Working across time zones and languages

Families in Florida and the destination country often speak different primary languages and may be in different time zones. Choose one method of communication that works for everyone, such as a group message, and share updates there. Share the coordinator’s number with the relatives who need it so that they can ask questions directly.

Cemetery and municipal procedures

In many Latin American countries, burial requires coordination with a local cemetery or municipal office, and some require the family to register the burial or pay fees. The receiving funeral home usually handles this, but the family should ask early what is needed, so that the shipment is not waiting for an administrative step.

Choosing between destinations within a country

Large Latin American countries often have more than one international airport, and the best choice depends on the final burial location, the airline’s service and the road connection from the airport. Sometimes it is better to fly to a main hub and travel by road, and sometimes a smaller airport with a connection is closer. Tell us where the burial will take place, and we will compare the practical options with the receiving funeral home.

Frequently asked questions

Which Latin American countries do you serve?

We ship worldwide and specialize in Central and South America. Tell us the country and city to confirm.

Are documents required in Spanish or Portuguese?

Often, but it depends on the country. We confirm for each case.

Can you coordinate with a family-owned funeral home abroad?

Yes, if it is licensed and able to receive the shipment under local rules.

Is embalming required?

It depends on the airline and the destination. See our article on embalming and shipping.

What if the family is in different countries?

We coordinate with the contacts you name and keep everyone updated.

Can the burial take place immediately on arrival?

That depends on local rules and the cemetery’s schedule. Ask the receiving funeral home.

Do you ship to rural areas?

Often with a combination of air and road transport. Tell us the location and we will discuss it.

If your destination is Mexico, see our dedicated guide: Shipping Human Remains to Mexico. Also see El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, and Colombia, and Brazil, and Ecuador, and Argentina, Peru, Venezuela and Chile.

Also see our guides for Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize.

Keep reading

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 destinations 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.

Repatriation to Latin America: What Families Should Prepare