Transporting a loved one after they’ve passed

Important considerations about transporting

• In most cases, you will want to call a funeral home first, as the staff can help make these arrangements for you.

• Hospitals generally hold a body for up to 72 hours, though this timeframe can vary depending on hospital policy and individual circumstances.

• If crossing state or international lines, there may be several jurisdictions' laws involved.

Soon after a loved one has passed away, one of the most difficult things you will have to deal with is transporting their body. This can be a challenge for almost anyone, both logistically and emotionally.

When dealing with your loved one’s physical remains, painful emotions are bound to come. It’s totally normal to find this part hard; just breathe and let yourself feel whatever you are feeling. Some people find it helpful to remember that your loved one was not their body. This was just the physical vessel that carried them this far, and now they have taken another form, whether you think of that as their soul, or as the memories of them that live on in you and their other family and friends.

In terms of the logistics of transporting their body, the process can differ greatly depending on where your loved one died, as laws vary from state to state. If you are in doubt, it is a good idea to look into the relevant laws in the area.

In many states, you will have to present official paperwork attesting that you are authorized to make decisions about the disposition of your loved one's body, either because they left specific instructions that you were to be in charge, or because no such instructions exist and you are their next of kin.

As always, if you are struggling with these decisions and logistics, be sure to reach out for help, whether from friends and family, or professionals such as hospital staff or a funeral director.

Choose a funeral home

When your loved one passes away, the first call you will typically want to make is to a funeral home, whose staff will take care of a lot of these arrangements for you. If you know that your loved one wanted to use a particular funeral home—for example if they left a Final Wishes document detailing their intentions for the funeral—contact that institution as soon as possible.

If there’s a funeral home close by that your family has used for years, that’s where you’ll want to turn now. Or if your loved one was a member of a religious community or institution, reach out to them, as they will most likely have a funeral home they often work with. Otherwise, you can reach out to friends in the area who have gone through what you’re going through, particularly if you have positive memories of funerals they may have planned. Remember that the funeral home is going to be very important to helping you through this process, so you want to work with a place you feel comfortable with.

If your loved one passes away in a hospital

If you haven’t yet chosen a funeral home, try to do so as soon as you’re able. Hospitals typically cannot hold a body in their morgue for more than 48 to 72 hours, though this can vary by state and hospital policy. In most cases, the body will need to be released to a licensed funeral provider within that timeframe.

If you need more time with your loved one before the body is transferred—whether for religious, cultural, or personal reasons—let the hospital staff know. Nurses, doctors, or administrators may be able to help coordinate additional time or make alternative arrangements. In some situations, the hospital may allow an extended stay in the morgue for a fee, but this is not guaranteed and must be arranged in advance.

Personal belongings left behind by your loved one are typically kept securely at the hospital and will be released to the next of kin, a designated family member, or another authorized representative. When these items are collected, the hospital usually provides a receipt or other documentation to the person receiving them. If no family or representative is available, the hospital will store the belongings for a limited period before disposing of or otherwise handling unclaimed items.

If your loved one passes away at home

If your loved one passes away at home, there’s a different set of protocols and slightly less urgency to have the body removed. The timeframe for registering a death depends on the state. There’s no single nationwide deadline, but it’s best to do it as soon as possible to avoid delays with funeral planning. Each state has its own rules, so be sure to check what’s required where the death occurred.

While it is normal and even healthy to want to sit with your loved one and invite others who were close to them to do so as well, you should bear in mind that the body will not stay intact; it will start to break down within 24 to 72 hours after death. This is simply a difficult fact of life and death that should be considered when thinking of how you want to remember your final moments with them.

How to transport a loved one across state lines

If you want to use a funeral home in another state, it’s important to be aware of the laws in each state regarding how the body must be prepared and handled when crossing state lines. 

Alabama, Alaska, and New Jersey require that the body be embalmed before crossing state lines, no matter the means of transportation. In California, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, and New Jersey, embalming may be needed if the body is transported on a common carrier such as a plane, but be sure to double check with a funeral director. However, should the person be Muslim, Jewish, or any other religion that prohibits embalming, it may be possible to request a religious exemption from embalming requirements. In many cases, state or federal laws (such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act) allow for accommodations, but these are not automatic and may require documentation or approval from authorities. When an exemption is granted, refrigeration is often accepted as an alternative to embalming. It’s important to check with local authorities or a funeral director to ensure compliance with all applicable laws.

These are good examples of why having a funeral director is so helpful: they can provide you with answers you don’t have to scramble to find on your own, helping to relieve some of your burden.

When moving a body out of state, you generally have two transportation options: by ground (car or specialized vehicle) or by air. Ground transport is usually less expensive, with mortuary transport companies charging between $1 and $4 per loaded mile, meaning you pay only for the miles the body is actually transported. Air transport is more complex and expensive, typically costing $1,500 to $5,000 for domestic flights and even more for international shipments. In all cases, you must work with a funeral home that is authorized to ship remains, and they will charge a “ship-out” or “forwarding remains” fee-often between $600 and $2,500-to handle permits, preparation, and delivery. Train transport is rarely used for human remains in the U.S. and is not a standard option.

When we lose someone dear to us, our reactions will vary. Some people will want to take a step back and let others take control of the whole process, while others want to be really involved. Grief comes out in different ways, and there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. But a good way to help ease some of this pain, especially with something as delicate as transporting the body of a loved one, is to leave as much of it to the professionals as you can. It’s time to focus on what needs to be done, but you also need to allow yourself the space and time to grieve.

You may be eligible for free bereavement support. Empathy can help with everything from funeral planning to estate administration, with step-by-step guidance and real-time expert support. Over 40 million people in the US & Canada get free premium access to Empathy via their life insurance provider or directly via their employer. Ask your insurance carrier, agent, or claims center if your coverage includes Empathy.