Transporting Body Across States (Practical Steps and Documents)

Losing a loved one is a profound emotional challenge, but when that loss occurs far from home, the logistical burden can feel overwhelming. Transporting a body across states is a specialized process that involves a delicate dance between legal compliance, health regulations, and funeral home coordination. Whether a family member passed away while on a winter vacation or had a long-standing wish to be buried in a family plot halfway across the country, understanding the mechanics of interstate body transport is essential.

With over 40% of American families now living in two or more states during their lifetimes, the need for "domestic repatriation" has never been higher. Navigating this process requires more than just a vehicle; it requires a roadmap through state laws and federal transportation guidelines. This guide provides a comprehensive look at how to manage this transition with dignity and efficiency.

The Initial Steps: Who to Call and When

The moment a death occurs out of state, the natural instinct is to call a local funeral home in your immediate vicinity. However, professional experience suggests a different approach.

Call the Receiving Funeral Home First

Expert funeral directors recommend contacting the receiving funeral home (the one in the state where the burial or service will take place) before anyone else. Why? Because the receiving home has the greatest incentive to manage costs and ensure the body is prepared according to the requirements of the final destination. They will often have established relationships with national shipping agents or removal services in the state where the death occurred, which can significantly lower the overall price.

Understanding the FTC Funeral Rule

Under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Funeral Rule, funeral homes are required to provide transparent pricing. When transporting a body across states, you should specifically look for two line items on the General Price List (GPL):

1. Forwarding Remains: This fee covers the initial pickup, professional services, and preparation for transport by the "sending" funeral home.
2. Receiving Remains: This fee covers the "destination" home’s role in receiving the body from the airport or transport van and preparing it for the final service.

By requesting these specific packages rather than a full traditional service at both locations, families can avoid paying the "Basic Services Fee" twice, which often saves thousands of dollars.

Methods of Interstate Body Transport

There are three primary ways to move a deceased person across state lines. The choice depends on the distance, the budget, and the timeline.

1. Air Transport (The Most Common for Long Distances)

Airlines do transport human remains, but they do so in the cargo hold of passenger flights. You cannot book these "tickets" yourself. The TSA requires that the remains be handled by a "Known Shipper"—usually a licensed funeral director or a specialized shipping company registered with the airline.

• Requirements: Most airlines require the body to be embalmed OR transported in a hermetically sealed container (like a Ziegler Case).
• Containers: If the body is in a casket, it must be placed inside an Airtray (a wooden base with a cardboard cover) to protect the casket during transit.

2. Professional Ground Transport

For shorter distances (typically under 500 miles), professional ground transport is often more efficient. Funeral homes use specialized transport vans or hearses. This method is simpler as it avoids TSA inspections and airport logistics.

3. Private Family Transport

Can you drive a loved one across state lines yourself? In many states, the answer is legally "yes," but it is logistically "difficult." You must still obtain a burial-transit permit from the state of death. Additionally, at least 9 states—including New York, New Jersey, and Illinois—mandate that a licensed funeral director oversee the removal and transport.

Required Documents Checklist

Before a body can cross state lines, a "paper trail" must be established to ensure public health safety and legal compliance.

The Essential Paperwork

1. Certified Death Certificate: You will need 10–12 copies eventually, but at least one original must typically travel with the remains.
2. Burial-Transit Permit: This is the most critical document. It is issued by the local registrar or health department in the state where the death occurred, giving legal permission to move the body.
3. Embalming Certificate: Required by almost all airlines and some states (like Alabama and Arkansas) if the body is not in a sealed metal container.
4. Non-Contagious Disease Letter: A document from the local health authority confirming the deceased did not pass from a communicable disease that poses a public health risk.

Real-World Examples of Interstate Transport

To better understand how these rules apply, consider these common scenarios seen in the funeral industry.

Example 1: The "Snowbird" Scenario

A resident of New York passes away while wintering in Florida. The family wants him buried in New York. Because Florida and New York both utilize Electronic Death Registration Systems (EDRS), the funeral director in Florida can secure a burial-transit permit within hours. The body is embalmed (required for the flight), placed in an airtray, and flown to JFK. The New York funeral home picks up the remains using a "Receiving Remains" package.

Example 2: The Green Burial Move

A family in Texas wants their loved one transported to a green burial site in Colorado. Because the family objects to embalming for environmental reasons, they must coordinate a ground transport using a refrigerated van. They must ensure they cross states that do not have mandatory embalming laws for transport or use dry ice to meet health requirements.

Example 3: The Veteran’s Return

A veteran passes away in a VA hospital in Oregon but wishes to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery (Virginia). In this case, the family works with the VA to coordinate transport. Because of the extreme distance, air transport is the only viable option. The Oregon funeral home must be a "Known Shipper" to book the flight.

Recent Trends and 2025–2026 Updates

The field of funeral logistics is evolving rapidly, with new technology making the process of transporting a body across states more transparent.

Digital Transit Permits (EDRS)

By 2025, the majority of U.S. states have transitioned to Electronic Death Registration Systems. In the past, a funeral director might have to wait days for a physical permit to be mailed or hand-delivered. Now, permits can be generated instantly online, reducing the time a body spends in "logistical limbo."

GPS Tracking and Chain-of-Custody

Following new legislation like the Illinois Integrity in Death Care Act, more transport companies are offering GPS-linked QR code tracking. Families can now receive updates when their loved one has departed the sending home, arrived at the airport, and been picked up by the receiving home, providing peace of mind during a stressful period.

Sustainable Transport Options

2026 is seeing a push toward "Carbon-Neutral Repatriation." Some mortuary transport services are beginning to offer electric vehicle transport for regional moves and the use of specialized refrigeration units that eliminate the need for chemical embalming, catering to the growing green burial market.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Hiring Two Full-Service Funeral Homes: As mentioned, this leads to "double-dipping" on basic service fees. Always ask for "Forwarding" and "Receiving" remains rates.
2. Ignoring Religious Exemptions: Certain faiths, such as Judaism and Islam, prohibit embalming. Families often assume they cannot fly the body because of this. In reality, airlines allow for religious exemptions if a hermetically sealed container (Ziegler Case) or dry ice is used.
3. Underestimating the Timeline: Even with digital permits, transport usually takes 3 to 7 days. Do not schedule a funeral service until the receiving funeral home confirms the body has arrived and been inspected.
4. Assuming All States Are the Same: Some states have very specific "Right to Control Disposition" laws. If there is a family dispute about where the body should go, the laws of the state where the person died usually take precedence.

Comparison: Moving a Body vs. Moving Ashes

If you are struggling with the Repatriation Costs (Typical Prices, What’s Included, and How to Save), it is worth considering the alternative of cremation.

• Cost: Transporting a body costs $1,500–$5,000. Transporting ashes via USPS costs roughly $50–$150.
• Ease: Moving a body requires two funeral homes and multiple permits. Moving ashes requires a death certificate and a cremation certificate.
• Airlines: You can often carry cremated remains as a carry-on item on most domestic flights. For more details, see our guide on Flying with Cremated Remains (Practical Steps and Documents).

Conclusion

Transporting a body across states is an intricate process that requires professional expertise and careful coordination. While the legal requirements can be daunting, understanding your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule and utilizing modern tracking and permit systems can make the journey smoother. By calling the receiving funeral home first and focusing on the necessary "Forwarding" and "Receiving" packages, you can ensure your loved one is returned home with the dignity they deserve while keeping costs manageable.

For a broader overview of all transport options, including ground and international moves, visit our Complete Guide to Funeral Transport: Tools, Checklists, and Essential Guides.