How Much Does It Cost to Transport a Body to Another State or Country?
What families pay to bring a loved one home, within the U.S. and from overseas, and who to call if you need help right now.
Has someone already died away from home?
Our funeral shipping partner can arrange the transfer and bring your loved one home, from anywhere in the U.S. or overseas. Call to talk it through and get a price.
Prefer to read first? How funeral shipping works, step by step on our sister site, US Funerals Online.
What does it cost to transport a body to another state?
Quick answer
Transporting a body to another state usually costs $3,000 to $7,000 in total. That covers collection by a funeral home near the place of death, preparation and a shipping container, airline cargo or ground transport, and a second funeral home to receive your loved one at home.
Bringing someone home from another country regularly costs $15,000 or more. Cremating near the place of death and bringing the ashes home is usually the lowest-cost option.
Many families assume funeral arrangements only get complicated when a death happens overseas. In reality, a death in another state brings its own logistics and unexpected costs.
When someone dies away from home, whether on vacation, visiting family, traveling for work, or spending the winter as a snowbird, the family has to make quick decisions about moving them, completing paperwork in two jurisdictions, and coordinating two funeral homes.
Without a plan in place, the family is usually responsible for:
- Transfer from the place of death to a local funeral home
- Preparing the body for transport
- Airline cargo or ground transport fees
- Coordination between the sending and receiving funeral homes
- Permits and documents required by each state or country
Within the U.S., this is called domestic mortuary shipping, and these decisions usually have to be made within a day or two, during an already difficult time.
Planning ahead
Pay once, so your family never faces this bill
The DFS Travel Protection Plan is a one-time lifetime membership. If you die more than 75 miles from home, anywhere in the world, it coordinates and covers the cost of bringing you home. Your family makes one phone call.
- No age limit and no health questions
- No annual renewals and no price increases
- Covers domestic and international deaths more than 75 miles from home
- Fulfilled by Inman Shipping Worldwide, repatriation specialists since 1978
The plan must be in place before a death occurs. Snowbirds are covered for up to 180 days a year away from home. Extra death certificates, viewings and services at the place of death are not included. See the full terms before enrolling. A DFS Memorials service.
Questions Families Ask
Why is it so expensive to transport a body?
Shipping a body involves two funeral homes (one where the death happened and one at home), preparation and a sealed shipping container, specialist air cargo handling, and permits for each jurisdiction. Each step carries its own fee, and they add up quickly.
What is the cheapest way to bring someone home?
Usually a direct cremation near the place of death, with the ashes carried home on a flight or mailed by USPS Priority Mail Express. That avoids most of the cost of shipping a body.
Can a family transport a body themselves?
Rules vary by state. Some states let families move a body with the right permits, and others require a funeral director to be involved. Airlines only accept human remains from a funeral home or registered shipper, so flying a body home always goes through a professional.
Does Medicare or travel insurance pay to bring a body home?
Medicare does not. Some travel insurance policies include a repatriation benefit, but it is often capped and may exclude deaths linked to pre-existing conditions. What travel insurance does and doesn’t cover.
How long does it take to transport a body to another state?
Often several days. Timing depends on the death certificate and permits, whether a medical examiner is involved, and airline cargo space.
Can I buy the DFS Travel Protection Plan after someone has died?
No. The plan has to be in place before a death occurs. If you need help bringing someone home now, call (877) 347-8086.
Why Funeral Shipping Costs Can Add Up
When a death occurs away from home, several services may be required before a loved one can be returned to their home community for cremation or burial.
The services and steps that add to the total cost of shipping a body are:
Initial Collection and Local Funeral Home Care
A funeral provider near the place of death must first transfer the deceased from the hospital, residence, or care facility. This service usually costs from $300 to $1,000, depending on distance and timing.
Preparation for Transportation of the Body
Airlines and transportation services typically require the deceased to be placed in a secure shipping container or air tray, sometimes with embalming or refrigeration.
Estimated cost: $800 – $2,500
Airline Cargo Transportation Charges or Ground Mortuary Transfer Fees
Commercial airlines transport human remains as special cargo shipments, which can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000+, depending on distance and airline policies. Ground transport can be suitable if the distance is not too far. This is charged at a per “loaded” mile fee. This can range anywhere from $2.50 to $6.00 per mile.
How the airline leg works, step by step (who can book it, what the airline and the CDC require, and how long it takes): how are bodies transported by plane?
The Receiving Funeral Home Services
Once the deceased arrives in their home state, a second funeral home must receive the remains and complete final arrangements.
Typical receiving charges: $600 – $1,500
Guide to Typical Domestic Funeral Shipping Costs
Medicare does not pay to transport a body, and most travel insurance only pays a capped amount, if anything. In most cases, the family pays the full cost.
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Collection and transfer by a local funeral home | $300 – $1,000 |
| Preparation and shipping container | $800 – $2,500 |
| Airline cargo transport | $1,000 – $4,000+ |
| Receiving funeral home at home | $600 – $1,500 |
| Typical total within the U.S. | $3,000 – $7,000 |
Ranges vary by distance, airline, state and funeral home. Ground transport is charged per loaded mile and can cost less for shorter distances.
The Lower-Cost Option: Cremation Near the Place of Death
If burial at home isn’t essential, the most affordable route is usually a direct cremation near where the death occurred, with the ashes brought home afterward. You avoid the shipping container, the airline cargo fee, and the second funeral home.
- Carry them home: The TSA allows cremated remains in carry-on luggage, as long as the container can be X-rayed.
- Mail them: USPS Priority Mail Express is the only U.S. carrier that accepts cremated remains.
- Check first: Make sure cremation fits your family’s wishes, faith, and any cemetery plans before deciding.
DFS Memorials works with independent cremation providers across the U.S. Find a direct cremation provider near where the death occurred.
Guides for families facing a death away from home
Typical International Repatriation Costs to the USA
Indicative figures from past repatriation cases handled by our partner Inman Shipping Worldwide. Costs vary by route, airline and local fees and many have risen since, so treat these as a guide, not a quote. Updated figures are on the way.
Asia to USA
| China | $20,000 |
| Japan | $11,500 |
| S Korea | $10,000 |
| Philippines | $7,000 |
North & Central America
| Florida→Midwest | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| Hawaii→Midwest | $2,500 – $3,500 |
| Arizona→Northwest | $1,500 – $2,500 |
| W Coast→E Coast | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| SW→ NW | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| Mexico→SW | $5,000 – $6,500 |
| Central America→SW | $9,000 – $14,000 |
| El Salvador→SW | $7,500 – $9,000 |
Europe to USA
| Italy | $10,000 |
| England | $5,500 |
| France | $8,500 |
| Germany | $7,500 |
Australia to USA
| Sydney | $7,500 |
| New Zealand | $6,500 |
S America to USA
| Brazil | $8,500 |
Middle East to USA
| Iran | $10,000 – $14,000 |
Africa to USA
| S Africa | $10,000 |
| Zimbabwe | $12,000 |
Real Examples From DFS & Inman Customers: Full Body vs. Cremated Remains
Totals reported by families who used Inman Shipping Worldwide. Each case is different; these show the range, not a guaranteed price.
| Route | Full body | Cremated remains | Cremation saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | |||
| London, United Kingdomto JFK New York | $12,400 | $6,200 | $6,200 |
| Paris, Franceto JFK New York | $7,499 | $6,793 | $706 |
| Prague, Czech Republicto JFK New York | $9,112 | $4,400 | $4,712 |
| Regensburg, Germanyto SDF Louisville, Kentucky | $17,490 | $9,193 | $8,297 |
| Palma, Spainto BNA Nashville, Tennessee | $8,800 | $6,980 | $1,820 |
| Athens, Greeceto DFW Dallas, Texas | $8,600 | $7,900 | $700 |
| Middle East | |||
| Tel Aviv, Israelto ORD Chicago | $8,399 | — | — |
| Asia | |||
| Beijing, Chinato LAX Los Angeles | $28,907 | $10,695 | $18,211 |
| Cebu City, Philippinesto DTW Detroit, Michigan | $13,500 | $7,300 | $6,200 |
"Cremation saves" is the difference between the two totals for the same route. No cremated-remains figure was reported for Tel Aviv.
What to Do Next
Bringing someone home within the U.S. usually costs $3,000 to $7,000, and from overseas it is often $15,000 or more. The right next step depends on where you are right now.
Someone has died away from home
Get help bringing them home
Our funeral shipping partner can arrange the transfer from anywhere in the U.S. or overseas and give you a price.
Call (877) 347-8086Keeping costs down
Consider cremation near the place of death
A local direct cremation, with the ashes carried or mailed home, avoids most of the cost of shipping a body.
Planning ahead
Spare your family this bill
The DFS Travel Protection Plan covers the cost of bringing you home for a one-time $450, or $875 for couples. No renewals, no age limit.
See the planWhatever brought you here, you don't have to work this out alone. Questions about the plan? Call (646) 466-8877. A DFS Memorials service.