When a Loved One Passes Far from Home

The basic path

1. Where the death occurred
2. Local care and coordination
3. Transportation
4. Receiving funeral home
5. Final arrangements

First: who do I call?

It depends on where and how the death happened: a hospital, hospice, care facility, private home, hotel, or public place. The people and authorities there help decide what happens next, and local rules apply. See the first 24 hours after a death.

The key decision: where should the person go?

For example, someone who lives in Utah passes away while visiting Arizona, and the family wants the funeral and burial in Utah. The family may then work with a provider where the death occurred and a funeral home in Utah, and the two coordinate the transfer.

Do I need two funeral homes?

Not always. Sometimes one funeral home coordinates everything. In other cases, both are involved:

“Can your funeral home coordinate the transportation and receiving for us, or will we need to work with another provider?”

Transportation may be coordinated by either funeral home or a specialized transportation provider, by vehicle or, in some cases, by air. For what “receiving” and “forwarding” mean, see transportation, receiving, and forwarding.

If the death occurred in another state

Requirements can vary with the state where the death occurred, the state the person is going to, the circumstances, the providers, and how the person will travel. There may be documents, permits, or authorizations. The funeral home or transportation provider coordinating the transfer should tell you which apply.

If the death occurred outside the United States

An international death can involve local authorities, a funeral home in that country and one in the U.S., airlines, and the U.S. embassy or consulate. According to the U.S. Department of State:

Help is available

U.S. consular officers can assist the family, share information about local burial and shipping remains, and provide a list of local funeral homes.

Local law applies

Burial or cremation must follow U.S. and foreign law. Options depend on the country’s facilities and customs.

Costs are the family’s

The State Department can’t pay to return remains, but it can help the family send instructions and private funds.

Paperwork takes time

Several documents are generally needed to bring someone home. A Consular Report of Death, often needed for insurance and estate matters, takes about four to six months, depending on the country.

What does repatriation of remains mean?

Repatriation generally means bringing a person who has died back to their home country, or to another country, for final arrangements. You may hear it from funeral homes, travel insurers, or specialized transportation providers, especially after a death abroad.

What it can cost, and what paperwork may be involved

There’s no single average cost. Ask for a complete written estimate showing which provider charges for which service. For published Utah forwarding and receiving prices, see transportation, receiving, and forwarding. See also additional costs families may miss.

If you’re dealing with this right now

1. Find out where the person is, and who is caring for them.
2. Tell that provider where the family wants final arrangements.
3. Ask who will coordinate transportation, and which funeral home will receive the person.
4. Ask which documents are required, and who contacts the receiving provider.
5. Get expected costs and responsibilities in writing.
6. Leave later decisions for later. See what can wait.

Common questions