Mortuary Shipping: 4 Things You Need to Know

June 12, 2024
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When a person dies in a different state or country, funeral planning takes an unexpected turn. This process can be even more complicated if the deceased is not accompanied by a family or friend at the time of its transfer.

Understanding mortuary shipping is critical if you are a bereaved family member, a funeral director, or a person simply interested in knowing how the funeral industry works.
This article highlights all significant aspects of mortuary shipping services addressing all your questions.

What is Mortuary Shipping?

Mortuary shipping is the process of transporting the deceased from the place of death to the final cremation site. Families in grief may find it difficult to transport the remains of their loved ones to their final burial site. Funeral homes arrange for transportation to meet the shipping regulations while preserving the dignity of the deceased. They obtain the required permits and adhere to the legal requirements to assist families in these challenging times.

1. Costs for transporting the Remains

It is no secret that transporting the remains of a loved one can be fairly high. How much you will pay for transportation will depend on several factors including the weight, distance, and mode of transportation. You'll also have to purchase a container to place the body.

2. The Body will travel in the Cargo Hold

You can't arrange air transportation to ship a dead body on your own, the only way to ship an embalmed body is to work with a funeral home. You'll have to work with a specialized company for air transportation for a dead body. The designated "known shipper" will place the deceased in a specialized container which will be shipped in the cargo hold of the airplane.

3. Shipping a body Internationally can be tricky

Regulations for shipping a body internationally can vary widely. The mortuary shipping process involves extensive documentation and legal procedures. The documents required to export a body back to the United States may include an official death certificate, embalming certificate, transportation information, and details of the receiving funeral home of the remains. Upon receiving all the legal documents, the consular mortuary certificate is issued which facilitates the shipping of the remains. Reliable and experienced funeral home removal services can help families navigate the complex process. They ensure all legal requirements are met to ship the remains to their final destination.

4. Role of Mortuary Shipping Services

Mortuary shipping services play a crucial role in reducing the practical load on bereaved families. The death of a loved one is always a challenge, the administrative tasks afterward can make it even more difficult. When dealing with grief, the last thing on your mind is handling the extensive documentation and legal procedures. Especially, when shipping human remains across international borders, careful coordination and compliance with regulatory procedures are required. A funeral home will be familiar with the requirements.

Conclusion

Regardless of where your loved one passes away; mortuary shipping services ensure that they are laid to rest according to the wishes of the family. By choosing the right professionals, families can navigate this challenging situation with dignity and respect.

At National Mortuary Shipping & Cremation, we take care of every detail, from shipping human remains to handling graveside funeral arrangements.