You Won’t Believe What’s in travel funeral services

/ Articles / By Sarah Rothschild

When a loved one passes away, the journey after their death is as important as their final resting place. If they died while traveling or moved to another state, moving the deceased can be tough and emotional. But, things have changed a lot since President Abraham Lincoln’s long funeral journey. Today’s travel funeral services offer many options to make sure your loved one’s last journey is respected and dignified.

Now, there are services like repatriation and cremation transport to help families. These services have changed to meet the needs of families who lose a loved one far from home. Knowing about these services can make a hard time a bit easier¹.

Key Takeaways

Travel funeral services offer a range of options for transporting the deceased, including repatriation, cremation transport, and international shipping.
Families are often geographically dispersed, leading to increased demand for funeral travel arrangements¹.
The average American savings balance makes it challenging to cover last-minute travel expenses for funerals¹.
Virtual attendance for funerals is becoming more accepted, with a 121% increase in the last decade¹.
Funeral homes and transportation providers offer specialized services to assist families with the logistics of transporting the deceased.

Reasons for Travel Funeral Services

Death Away from Home

It’s hard to lose someone close to us, but it’s even tougher when they pass away far from home. In such cases, we need to bring them back for their final rest. That’s where travel funeral services step in².

Funeral directors help arrange for the body to be moved back to its hometown or the chosen spot for the funeral and burial or cremation. They make sure all the paperwork is in order for a smooth transport².

Funerals often lead to last-minute travel plans, and some traditions include several ceremonies over weeks³. It’s crucial to be flexible with travel plans, especially when dealing with illness or death³.

Grief can hit hard on both the traveler and guests at funerals. Budgets for travel can be tight due to the need for multiple trips quickly³. But, with the help of funeral home experts, we can guide the process of moving the deceased and giving them a fitting farewell with care and respect.

“Losing a loved one is never easy, but when it happens away from home, the grief can be especially challenging. Travel funeral services help ensure the decedent’s final journey is handled with the utmost care and respect.”

Arranging Transport with a Funeral Home

When a loved one passes away, the first step is to call a funeral home. They help with funeral home transport arrangements. The funeral director will work with the first funeral home to prepare the decedent for safe and legal repatriation of remains. Sometimes, a burial transit permit is needed to move the remains⁴.

The funeral director takes care of all the details for safe and legal transport. They work with the first funeral home, get the needed documents, and follow state and local laws⁵.

Hospitals won’t keep a body over 72 hours⁴.
If someone dies at home, you have five days to register the death. Don’t wait more than 72 hours⁴.
Moving a body across states or countries means following many laws⁴.
Embalming is often needed, but some religions might not require it⁴.

The funeral director helps the family with the decedent transport process. They guide you through the steps and paperwork. Their knowledge and connections make it easier to move a loved one to their final place⁴⁵.

“Funeral homes can assist in legal transportation preparation and can facilitate transportation logistics.”

Methods of Transporting the Deceased

When a loved one passes away, choosing how to transport their remains is a big decision. If the distance is short, families might opt for a car or train. Funeral homes usually charge between $1.00 to $4.00 per mile for this⁶.

For longer distances, air transport is often needed. The body goes in a special container approved by the TSA. Funeral homes that are “known shippers” can handle this, costing between $600 to $3,000 within the U.S⁶. They follow TSA rules to make sure the journey is safe⁷.

The first call funeral home might charge $600 to $1,500 for shipping⁶. Shipping to another country can start at $2,000 – $4,000 and go higher⁶. Fees for shipping to another country can be $2,000 to $6,000⁶.

Transport Method	Cost Range
Ground Transportation (per loaded mile)	$1.00 – $4.00⁶
Ship-out Fee (by first call funeral home)	$600 – $1,500⁶
Airline Cargo Funeral Shipment (within U.S.)	$600 – $3,000⁶
International Ship-out Fees	$2,000 – $4,000+⁶
International Mortuary Cargo Fees	$2,000 – $6,000⁶

Transporting the deceased has different rules by state. Some states need embalming before moving the body, especially if it’s by a common carrier⁸. It’s key to check the laws in both the home and destination states for a smooth process.

“About 10% of deceased individuals need to be moved across state lines for funerals.”⁸

There are green options like natural organic reduction, turning the body into soil that can be shipped in a biodegradable box⁸. Using natural-wood caskets or cardboard can also help reduce the carbon footprint⁸.

Choosing a transport method requires working with a trusted funeral home. They ensure the deceased is treated with respect and follow the rules. Knowing the options and costs helps families make the best choice for their needs and likes.

travel funeral services

When a loved one dies while traveling, dealing with travel funeral services can feel overwhelming. But, experts in funeral travel arrangements and international funeral shipping can help. They make sure the deceased is brought back home with respect.

A study found that 80% of Americans over 18 travel for more than a night away from home⁹. This shows how crucial it is to have good mortuary shipping services and funeral directors. They handle all the details, making sure everything is legal and follows airline rules. This helps reduce stress.

Funeral services while traveling can be expensive. Transporting a body within the U.S. can cost over $4,000, and sending it back from another country can be more than $15,000⁹. To help with costs, some companies offer travel protection plans for $450 per person. These plans cover the cost of bringing a loved one back home if they die far from home⁹.

Funeral directors skilled in travel funeral services help families through the tough process of bringing their loved one home. They ensure a respectful end to their journey.

“The Travel Protection Plan provides coverage for repatriation expenses and funeral costs, offering peace of mind to travelers and their families.”

Transporting the Deceased

Getting the deceased across borders can seem hard, but funeral directors know how to do it. Shipping remains can cost $3,000 to $15,000⁹. Companies like Inman Shipping Worldwide offer plans that pay for all costs, including labor and flights⁹.

Repatriation Cost	Domestic	International
Average Cost	$4,000	$15,000
Travel Protection Plan Coverage	Covered	Covered

With a full travel funeral services plan, families know their loved ones are in good hands. They’ll be moved with care and follow all the rules⁹¹⁰.

Self-Transport Option

Many people choose to work with a funeral home for transporting the deceased¹¹. But, families can also take on this task themselves. This can save money, especially for trips within the same state or a nearby area¹¹. Yet, it’s important to know the rules about moving the body from state to state.

State Regulations

In most places, families can move the body themselves¹². But, each state has its own rules. For example, in Alabama, Arkansas, and New Jersey, you must embalm the body if you’re crossing state lines¹². You also need to put the body in a special container, which you can get from a funeral home¹².

Talking to a funeral home can help you understand the laws and how to move the body¹². They know a lot about this process and can suggest the best and cheapest ways to move the body¹¹. By following the rules, families can handle the transport with respect and dignity.

“Renting a van might be considerably less expensive than airfare for transporting the body.”¹²

Transporting Cremated Remains

Transporting cremated remains is easier than moving a full body. There are no rules for taking ashes across state lines in the U.S. But, the TSA has rules for flying with them. The TSA requires the container to go through the x-ray machine. Airlines might also have rules about carrying ashes as luggage¹³.

The USPS is the only one allowed to ship ashes in the U.S. They need to be sent by USPS Priority Mail Express. This service tracks the package for safety¹³. The USPS suggests using two containers: one that won’t leak and another that keeps everything safe during the trip¹³.

When you’re taking ashes somewhere, keep the Death Certificate and Cremation Certificate handy, especially when flying. Always check with the airline about their rules for carry-on or checked luggage¹³¹⁴.

Domestic Travel	International Travel
USPS is the only authorized carrier to ship cremated remains Ashes must be sent using USPS Priority Mail Express Packaging requires an inner leak-proof container and an outer secure shipping container Carry the Death Certificate and Certificate of Cremation Check with airline for specific regulations on carry-on or checked luggage	Standard documentation includes the Death Certificate, Cremation Certificate, and a letter from the funeral home or cremation provider Some countries may require additional authorizations or documentation The process may require ample time for organization, ranging from two weeks at minimum

For international trips with ashes, you’ll need the Death Certificate, Cremation Certificate, and a letter from the funeral home. But, some places might ask for more papers. Planning ahead is key, taking at least two weeks for all the steps and legal stuff¹³.

“The process of transporting cremated remains internationally may require ample time for organization, ranging from two weeks at minimum due to multiple steps and legal requirements.”

In short, moving cremated remains is simpler than a full body. But, you must follow the TSA, airline, and postal service rules. This ensures the ashes are moved safely, whether you’re going within the U.S. or internationally¹³¹⁴¹⁵.

Conclusion

When a loved one dies while away, bringing them home can be hard and emotional. But, with help from travel funeral services, it can be easier. These services have the skills and tools to safely move your loved one home, following all legal steps¹⁶.

Dealing with the sudden loss of a family member or friend while traveling can be tough. But, a professional funeral home can really help¹⁶. They know the laws and can manage the tricky parts of moving the deceased. This lets you focus on mourning and celebrating your loved one’s life¹⁷.

Going through this tough time doesn’t mean you’re alone. Your local funeral home’s team is there to support you, making sure your loved one is brought home with care and respect¹⁶. They help you honor your loved one and find closure, even when death happens far from home¹⁷.

FAQ

What are travel funeral services?

Travel funeral services help with the process of moving a loved one’s remains back home after they die away from their usual place. They arrange for the shipping of remains across borders and manage all the logistics needed for this journey.

Why would a loved one need to travel after their death?

Your loved one might need to travel after death for many reasons. Maybe they were somewhere else when they passed away and need to be brought back for their funeral. Or, they might have moved to another state but wanted to rest in peace where they lived most of their life.

What is the process for transporting a deceased loved one?

First, contact a funeral home if your loved one dies away from home. The funeral director will work with the original funeral home to prepare the decedent for transport. They ensure the decedent is safely and legally moved to their final destination.

What are the different methods of transporting the deceased?

For shorter distances, the deceased might travel by car or train. The funeral home charges by the mile for land transport. For longer distances, air transport is needed, and the body goes in a TSA-approved shipping container.

How do travel funeral services help with the transport process?

Funeral directors with experience in travel services guide families through the transport process. They ensure all state and federal laws, airline, and shipping rules are followed. This makes the process less stressful and complex for families.

Can I transport a decedent myself?

You can transport a decedent yourself, but you must follow state laws. The remains must be in a sealed container, and you might need to embalm or refrigerate them. It’s wise to talk to a funeral home for help with legal and logistical aspects of transporting a loved one.

What are the rules for transporting cremated remains?

Moving cremated remains is simpler than moving a full body. There are no state laws for crossing borders with ashes. But, the TSA has rules for flying with them. Ashes should be in a light, non-metal container, and some airlines have extra rules for checking ashes as luggage.

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