Transporting a Body Across State Lines

When someone dies in a different state from where they will be buried or cremated — whether they were traveling, living away from home, or died in a hospital far from family — transporting the body across state lines becomes necessary. This process involves specific legal requirements, coordination between funeral homes in two states, and meaningful cost. Here's how it works.

The Basic Process

Interstate transportation of human remains involves three key steps:

1. First-call funeral home: A funeral home in the state where the death occurred handles the initial removal of the body, preservation, paperwork, and legal release
2. Transportation: The remains are transported to the receiving state, typically by a funeral home vehicle, commercial airline, or private transport
3. Receiving funeral home: A funeral home in the destination state completes the arrangements and the burial or cremation

The two funeral homes typically coordinate directly and are used to this process. You don't need to manage the logistics yourself — you need to identify both funeral homes and give them permission to work together.

Legal Requirements

Transit permit

Most states require a transit permit (sometimes called a "disposition permit" or "removal permit") to transport remains across state lines. This permit is obtained by the funeral home in the state of death, typically from the local health department or vital records office. The funeral home handles this — it is not your responsibility.

Embalming requirements

Some states require that remains be embalmed before interstate transportation if the transit will take more than a certain number of hours. Refrigeration is an alternative to embalming in many cases. The originating funeral home will advise you on what is required. Note: embalming adds cost and is not required by federal law for most purposes, but it may be required by the airline or transport carrier.

Death certificate

A death certificate filed in the state of death is required before remains can be transported. This is handled by the originating funeral home. You will need certified copies for the destination state's vital records requirements as well.

Methods of Transportation

Commercial airline (most common)

Airlines transport human remains as air cargo ("human remains" are handled separately from regular cargo). The funeral home arranges this and prepares the remains in an approved shipping container. Most major airlines accept human remains, but each has specific requirements. The originating funeral home will coordinate with the airline. Costs typically range from $500–$2,000 depending on distance.

Funeral home vehicle

For shorter distances — within the same region — funeral homes can transport remains directly by vehicle. This is simpler but limited by distance; cross-country vehicle transport is generally impractical.

Dedicated transport services

Specialized companies handle human remains transportation, including international transport. These can be arranged through the funeral home.

International Transportation

If the death occurred internationally and the body needs to be transported back to the United States, the process is more complex:

• The US Embassy or Consulate in the country where the death occurred can provide guidance and a list of local funeral homes experienced in international repatriation
• The foreign country will issue its own transit permit
• The State Department issues a "Report of Death of a US Citizen Abroad" which functions as a death certificate for US legal purposes
• The CDC has requirements for remains entering the US, particularly if the cause of death is certain communicable diseases
• Travel insurance with repatriation coverage significantly simplifies this process — check whether the deceased had such coverage

Costs

Interstate body transportation adds significant cost to funeral expenses. Typical additional costs include:

• Originating funeral home's services (removal, preparation, transit permit, coordination): $1,000–$3,000+
• Air transportation: $500–$2,000 depending on distance
• Receiving funeral home's transfer fee: $300–$800

Check whether the deceased had a pre-paid funeral plan that covered transportation, or whether any insurance policy covers repatriation costs.

Alternative: Cremation Before Transport

Cremating the body in the state of death before transporting the cremains to the family is sometimes simpler and less expensive. Cremains can be transported by any common carrier — airline, FedEx, USPS Priority Mail Express — without the legal requirements associated with transporting a body. This may not be acceptable given religious or family preferences, but it is worth considering if it aligns with those preferences.

Choosing the Funeral Homes

When the death occurs in an unfamiliar location:

• The hospital or medical examiner will often recommend local funeral homes
• You are not obligated to use their recommendation
• The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) has a directory of member funeral homes
• Your local funeral home (the receiving funeral home) may have established relationships with funeral homes in other states — asking them first may simplify coordination

For more on the funeral planning process, see our complete guide to planning a funeral. For immediate steps after a death, see our first 24 hours guide.