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Shipping a Body

Transporting a body can be complicated and involve many different agencies. Here is a helpful starting point for the process of shipping a body. A Carson’s Village Advocate can help you get in touch with the right people and help you find the best options.

  • Funeral homes are the only entities approved by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration as “Known Handlers” to work with airlines to have a body air-shipped across country lines.
  • The cost of shipping a body is based on the weight of the shipment and the distance from the place of origin to the destination.
  • You will have to pay for the cost of the shipping container, as well as any fees to the funeral home(s) for the coordination of the shipping.
    • The fee for forwarding remains to another funeral home usually ranges from $1000 to $3000. The fee for receiving remains from another funeral home usually ranges from $800 to $2500.
  • Transporting ashes is allowed either in checked or carry-on luggage. The cremains will be screened by TSA Officers as part of their standard operating procedure, which includes the cremated remains being passed through the x-ray machine. TSA recommends using a wood or plastic container when traveling.
  • A body can be transported over state lines to be cremated. If the deceased is to be transported over any distance, and a period of over 24-hours may elapse, embalming may be required which will be an additional cost (between $500 and $1300). Airline funeral shipping companies have specific regulations to meet, and this can involve the use of a designated air-freight mortuary shipping container.

Read the National Funeral Directors Association resource for shipping remains here

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