Miami and Miami-Dade County are home to people from the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and across the United States, so shipments from Miami go to many parts of the world. If you are arranging one, this is what to expect.
Key takeaways
- Florida law puts the burial-transit permit in the funeral director’s hands, within five days after death.
- We are based in North Miami and serve Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
- Call 786-565-9525 at any hour to start.
Start with the funeral home
A licensed funeral home in Florida cares for the deceased and handles essential paperwork. Under Florida Statutes section 382.006, the funeral director who first takes custody of the body obtains the burial-transit permit before final disposition and within five days after death. You may choose the funeral home; ask for its General Price List.
Where we fit in
We are based in North Miami and coordinate the shipping side: documents, airline arrangements and communication between the funeral homes. We help families in Miami-Dade County, and also in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Read more about our service areas.
Domestic shipments from Miami
For destinations within the United States, we coordinate flights or ground transport and confirm what the destination state requires. See How Domestic Human Remains Shipping Works Between U.S. States.
International shipments from Miami
Miami International Airport is a major gateway to the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe, but whether a given airline accepts remains on a given route is something we confirm each time. See How International Repatriation from Florida Works and How Airlines Handle Human Remains as Cargo.
What you should do first
- Confirm which funeral home is caring for your loved one.
- Decide, or at least discuss, the destination.
- Gather the person’s details and the destination funeral home’s contact information.
- Call us at 786-565-9525, any time of day.
Related reading
For the full list of documents, see Documents Typically Needed to Ship Human Remains. For help beyond Miami-Dade, see Funeral Shipping in Broward and Palm Beach.
A Miami checklist
| Step | Who | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Choose a licensed funeral home | Family | Ask for the General Price List. |
| Burial-transit permit | Funeral director | Florida Statutes section 382.006: before final disposition, within five days of death. |
| Contact the coordinator | Family | 786-565-9525, any hour. |
| Confirm destination and receiving funeral home | Family and coordinator | Needed for the quote. |
| Documents and consular steps | Coordinator and funeral home | For international routes. |
| Airline booking | Coordinator | Miami International or another South Florida airport. |
Neighborhoods and communities we serve
We are based in North Miami and help families throughout Miami-Dade County, including Miami, Miami Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Homestead and the surrounding communities, as well as Broward and Palm Beach counties. If you are not sure whether your location is in our area, call us.
A word about hospitals and facilities
When a death occurs in a hospital or facility in Miami-Dade, staff will release the person to the funeral home the family selects. Having the funeral home’s name and contact details ready speeds the release. We can talk to the funeral home once you have chosen it.
Working with Miami funeral homes
Miami-Dade has many funeral homes with experience serving families from the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe. Ask any funeral home you are considering whether it has prepared remains for international travel, what languages its staff speak and what its General Price List includes. Then let us know which one you choose so that we can coordinate.
If the death occurred outside a hospital
When a death occurs at home or elsewhere, local authorities become involved, and the process of releasing the person to a funeral home may differ. The funeral home you choose can explain the steps. Once the person is in the funeral home’s care, the shipping process can proceed.
Typical Miami questions
- Which funeral home is nearest to the hospital or facility?
- Will the funeral home need a signed authorization from the family before releasing the person?
- Is the destination served by flights from Miami International, or will a connection be needed?
- Who will receive the shipment at the destination?
If you do not have all the answers, call us. We will help you work out what to find out first.
Frequently asked questions
Are you in Miami?
We are in North Miami, at 1696 NE 150th Street, and serve Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Do I need to come to your office?
No. Most of our work is by phone, email and coordination with the funeral homes.
Which airport is used?
Usually Miami International, but it depends on the airline and destination.
Can you help with a shipment from a Miami funeral home to another state?
Yes. See our domestic shipping page.
Is your line open at night?
Yes. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Can you help if my loved one is in a hospital outside Miami-Dade?
Yes, tell us the location and we will explain how the shipment can be arranged.
Do you provide funeral services?
We coordinate shipping and documentation. Funeral services are provided by the funeral homes.
Keep reading
- Funeral Shipping in Broward and Palm Beach: Coordination Basics
- How Domestic Human Remains Shipping Works Between U.S. States
- How Airlines Handle Human Remains as Cargo
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 service areas 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.