Domestic Transportation
What to do when a loved one dies away from home
Death in One State, Burial in Another – Body Transport After Death
What Happens When A Loved One Dies in Another State and Body Transport After Death is Considered?
As our society becomes more mobile, many families find themselves facing the challenge of making death arrangements across state lines. While cremation can be a cheaper option than transporting a body, it may not be the right choice for everyone. So, what can families do to cut costs when two funeral homes are involved?
One option is to skip visitation in the community where the person passed away, especially if the family has already had the opportunity to say their goodbyes. By saving all observances for the state where the final disposition will take place, families can significantly reduce expenses. This can be especially helpful if the death was expected and there is no urgent need for a funeral or memorial service in the community of death.
Here are the steps for Body Transport After Death:
Let's break down the process of transporting a loved one's body to another state or location.
Firstly, if the body has not yet been picked up from the hospital or nursing home, it's important to avoid calling the local society mortuary. The best course of action would be to get in touch with the receiving mortuary in the other state or location.
Once connected with the receiving mortuary, the family can request the use of a trusted shipping service like Inman Nationwide. It's important to note that the company only communicates with undertakers, so the family should arrange for the mortuary to make the call.
Lastly, the cost for the entire process, including picking up the body, obtaining the necessary permits and death certificate, embalming, and delivering to the airport, comes out to $730 at the time of this writing.
Overall, the process of transporting a loved one's body can be stressful and emotional, but by following these steps and working with reputable professionals, families can ensure a smooth and respectful transition.
If you're considering using Inman as your funeral home, it's important to note that there may be an extra charge for mileage if the Inman agent has to travel a long distance to your location.
However, this cost is still likely to be much lower than what you would pay if you were to approach a local funeral home directly for their services. In fact, some funeral homes may offer prices similar to Inman's for Forwarding Remains, especially in areas with a lot of winter retirees.
It's important to keep in mind that the airline ticket for transporting the remains will also be an additional cost. Overall, it's worth doing your research and comparing prices to ensure you're making the best financial decision for you and your family during this difficult time. You can contact us below and we'll guide you every step of the way.
What Actually Happens During Body Transport After Death
If your loved one's body has already been taken to a funeral home before you've had a chance to make any arrangements, don't panic.
The family can still inquire about the price for forwarding the remains, which is one of the sixteen options required by the Federal Trade Commission. This option usually includes pickup of the body, a basic service fee, embalming, and possibly a shipping container, as well as transportation to the nearest airport.
It's important to check the general price list to see what is covered by this option. Surprisingly, this price is often much less than if the items were priced separately, so it's essential to ask for this option.
If the family doesn't know enough to ask for the price of this option, the mortician may charge separately, which can add up quickly. One woman could have saved almost $2,000 if she had only known this!
It's also helpful to know that there are two types of shipping containers: one that carries just the body and another that covers and protects a casket.
Other Information About Body Transport After Death
Let's break down the process of arranging a funeral step-by-step. Here's what you need to know:
If you don't require a visitation or full funeral service in the state of burial, you can ask the receiving mortuary for their price for receiving remains. This typically includes picking up the body at the airport, filing permits and the death certificate, and transportation to the cemetery.
The cost can be as low as $450, but keep in mind that cemetery charges and additional services will be extra.
After getting a price for receiving remains, you may want to ask about the cost of a graveside service if friends and family want to attend. This usually runs about $250.
Both of these options may be considerably less expensive than paying for each service separately.
If you plan on having any services in the state where the death occurred, you'll need to purchase a casket before shipping the body to another location. If not, you can buy a casket from the receiving funeral director.
An affordable option is a 20-gauge nonprotective steel casket or a cloth-covered wood or fiberboard casket.
You may feel comfortable handling the obituary yourself without the assistance of a funeral director. Additionally, it's a good idea to contact the cemetery directly to inquire about prices for opening and closing the grave and whether or not they sell the necessary grave-liner.
Can the Family do the Body Transport After Death?
Transporting a deceased loved one's body is legal in most states, and it can be more cost-effective than airfare if the family rents a van.
The journey itself can also have therapeutic benefits for the grieving family. Embalming is only required by three states when crossing state lines, but exceptions may be made if the family is transporting the body.
It's important to consider the weather and provide adequate cooling for the body during transportation. To absorb any leaking body fluids, Kitty Litter can be placed under the casket's bottom lining.
If cremation is the chosen option and there is no local memorial society, there are low-cost providers that can be found through an internet search. Funeral homes that publicly post prices for a cremation of around $1,895 may be agents for Inman and may be willing to offer a lower price if contacted through another mortician via Inman.
It's always a good idea to do research and shop around for the best options during this difficult time. You can contact us directly and we'll guide you every step of the way.
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