Planning Ahead for a Death Away from Home

What happens if you die out of state

When a Utah resident dies in another state or country, two funeral homes are often involved. One, near the place of death, cares for the person and prepares them for travel. That’s called forwarding. The other, in Utah, takes over when the person arrives. That’s called receiving. In between is transportation, usually by air for long distances, plus permits and paperwork at both ends.

For the full step-by-step, see transportation, receiving and forwarding.

What bringing someone home can cost

There’s no single price. It depends on distance, how the person travels, and what each funeral home charges. Utah price lists give a sense of the two ends:

Premier: General Price List effective July 15, 2025. Serenity: General Price List effective August 1, 2026. Providers listed alphabetically.

Those fees cover only the funeral home’s part at one end. A long-distance transfer can also include the other state’s funeral home, airline cargo charges, a shipping container, permits and death certificates, and then the funeral or cremation itself. Ask for a written estimate that shows which provider charges for what. See additional costs families may miss.

Ways families plan for it

There are a few different products and approaches. They work differently, so it’s worth knowing which one you’re looking at.

Funeral travel protection plans

Sold through some funeral homes and directly by plan companies, usually for a one-time fee. If you die more than a set distance from home, the plan’s company arranges and pays for getting you back to your local funeral home. One national plan, for example, applies at 75 miles or more from your legal residence and requires the family to call the plan first. It is a service plan, so paying out of pocket and asking to be repaid doesn’t work.

Travel insurance with repatriation coverage

Many travel insurance policies include “repatriation of remains” coverage for a single trip or a year of trips, often with a dollar limit. Mostly relevant for international travel.

A prepaid funeral plan

Some prepaid funeral contracts include transfer from out of the area; many don’t. If you already have one, check the contract. See how prepaid funeral plans work.

Life insurance or savings

A life insurance payout or savings can pay for transportation like any other funeral cost. It pays the family after the fact rather than arranging the transfer.

Wayfinder doesn’t sell or recommend any plan, and we aren’t paid by any plan company.

Questions to ask before you buy

1. How far from home does the death have to be for the plan to apply?
2. Does it cover anywhere in the world, or only the United States?
3. Is there a dollar cap, or is transportation covered whatever the distance?
4. What exactly is covered: transport only, or care and paperwork at the place of death too? Is the funeral itself included? (Usually not.)
5. Is it a one-time fee, or does it renew?
6. What happens if I move, or change funeral homes?
7. Who does my family call, and what happens if they call someone else first?
8. Is this an insurance policy or a service contract, and which company stands behind it?

Who this is most worth thinking about for

• People who split the year between Utah and another state.
• Anyone who travels often, especially abroad.
• Family members living, studying or serving far from Utah who would be brought home.
• Older adults who have moved to be near family but want to be buried in Utah, or the reverse.

For people who rarely travel far, a plan may not add much. It’s a question of how likely the situation is and what else would cover it.

Common questions