How to Transport a Body - A Guide For Families Following a Loved One"s Passing
The last time you want to think about transporting the body of a loved one following their passing is during a time of grief.
But you can ease the pain with pre-need planning-including arranging details ahead of time.
There are certain, yet simple steps that dictate how to transport a body.
We'll help guide you through the process with a few easy things to remember.
Who's in Charge? Transporting a body is governed on a state level in the United States.
If you transport a body within a state, work with your funeral director to confirm state requirements.
If the body will need to travel across state lines to reach its final resting place, you'll need to obtain permits from each state (where permits are required).
If you wish, the funeral director may designate you as the transportation agent, allowing you to coordinate the specific details.
You may also check with your county's Coroner's Office or with your state's Office of the Attorney General.
If transporting a body internationally, check with your country's embassy to confirm requirements.
Transporting a Body If choosing a traditional burial, you will need to consider details such as embalming the body, choosing a casket, and burial location, ceremony and plot.
In some states, it is legal for you to transport the body yourself if the body has been embalmed and if you have a state permit.
You may also use a common carrier, such as a plane or train, to transport the casket and body.
In either case, you will want to have the certificate of death, as well as your loved one's funeral or burial plans, on-hand.
Transporting Cremated Remains If you choose cremation, take into consideration where the cremation will occur, selection of an urn, and how the cremation ashes will be handled.
Educate yourself about how to transport cremated remains.
Cremation is often the least expensive way to transport across state lines or internationally-and there are usually fewer requirements surrounding shipping cremated remains than there are for shipping a body.
Because transporting a body varies by state and by country, it is important to research requirements ahead of time and know the appropriate legal steps.
Be sure to contact a local funeral home or cremation center to confirm the requirements.
And don't be afraid to plan ahead of time for end of life arrangements to ease your or your loved one's passage.
But you can ease the pain with pre-need planning-including arranging details ahead of time.
There are certain, yet simple steps that dictate how to transport a body.
We'll help guide you through the process with a few easy things to remember.
Who's in Charge? Transporting a body is governed on a state level in the United States.
If you transport a body within a state, work with your funeral director to confirm state requirements.
If the body will need to travel across state lines to reach its final resting place, you'll need to obtain permits from each state (where permits are required).
If you wish, the funeral director may designate you as the transportation agent, allowing you to coordinate the specific details.
You may also check with your county's Coroner's Office or with your state's Office of the Attorney General.
If transporting a body internationally, check with your country's embassy to confirm requirements.
Transporting a Body If choosing a traditional burial, you will need to consider details such as embalming the body, choosing a casket, and burial location, ceremony and plot.
In some states, it is legal for you to transport the body yourself if the body has been embalmed and if you have a state permit.
You may also use a common carrier, such as a plane or train, to transport the casket and body.
In either case, you will want to have the certificate of death, as well as your loved one's funeral or burial plans, on-hand.
Transporting Cremated Remains If you choose cremation, take into consideration where the cremation will occur, selection of an urn, and how the cremation ashes will be handled.
Educate yourself about how to transport cremated remains.
Cremation is often the least expensive way to transport across state lines or internationally-and there are usually fewer requirements surrounding shipping cremated remains than there are for shipping a body.
Because transporting a body varies by state and by country, it is important to research requirements ahead of time and know the appropriate legal steps.
Be sure to contact a local funeral home or cremation center to confirm the requirements.
And don't be afraid to plan ahead of time for end of life arrangements to ease your or your loved one's passage.
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