Transportation, Receiving, and Forwarding
After a loved one passes, they may need to be moved from the place of death to a funeral home, crematory, cemetery, or another location. Sometimes one provider handles everything. Other times, more than one is involved. This page explains the terms and what to ask.
Three terms
- Transportation
- Moving the person who died from one place to another: hospital to funeral home, residence to funeral home, funeral home to cemetery or crematory.
- Receiving
- A funeral home takes the person into its care from another location or provider. For example, a Utah funeral home receives someone who died in another state.
- Forwarding
- A funeral home sends the person, or arranges their transportation, to another location. For example, to a funeral home in another state.
If a funeral home offers forwarding or receiving, the FTC Funeral Rule requires its General Price List to show the price and describe what’s included. Ask exactly what each quoted service covers.
Why more than one provider may be involved
More coordination is common when a death happens far from home, services will be in another city or state, a different funeral home will handle final arrangements, the cemetery or crematory is elsewhere, or an airline is involved. Funeral homes usually coordinate these moves with each other.
Where the person died
- Provides care there
- Prepares for the transfer (forwarding)
Where arrangements happen
- Receives the person (receiving)
- Handles final arrangements
Two funeral homes doesn’t mean something has gone wrong. It reflects where the person died and where the family wants arrangements.
For the full picture, see when a loved one passes far from home.
Local and long-distance transportation
- A transfer vehicle and staff
- Another transportation provider
- Mileage charges beyond a set area
- Another funeral home
- A specialized transport service or airline
- Required documents and scheduling
Requirements vary by state and carrier. The coordinating funeral home can tell you what applies.
What published Utah price lists show
Two examples of how these charges appear on Salt Lake County price lists. They are one provider’s prices each, not averages or quotes.
| Price list | Forwarding remains | Receiving remains | Mileage beyond 50 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Funeral Services (effective July 15, 2025) | $1,295: staff, embalming and handling, transfer to the funeral home, transport to a local airport within 50 miles | $995: staff, transport to the cemetery or crematory, airport transport within 50 miles | $3.25 a mile |
| Serenity Funeral Home (August 1, 2026) | $1,695: removal, staff, embalming, authorizations, local transport to the airport | $1,295: staff, transport from the airport, temporary shelter and care, coordination with the cemetery or crematory | $2.50 a mile |
Checked September 2026 on each funeral home’s published General Price List. Neither forwarding price includes a viewing or ceremony.
When two funeral homes are involved, each may charge for its part: a forwarding charge at one and a receiving charge at the other, plus any airline or third-party costs. See how funeral prices work.
What to ask, and get in writing
- Who is coordinating the transportation?
- Where will the person be taken, and which provider will receive them?
- Is another funeral home involved?
- What transportation services are included?
- Are mileage, receiving, forwarding, or third-party charges separate?
- Who do we contact if the timing changes?
“Who is coordinating the transportation, and what will I be responsible for paying?”
Common questions
What does receiving remains mean?
What does forwarding remains mean?
Can two funeral homes be involved?
Will transportation cost extra?
Ready to see how these choices apply to your situation?
Your Wayfinder Plan can help organize the options you’re considering and give you a clearer picture of what to ask and compare.
Build My Wayfinder Plan- Forwarding and receiving on General Price Lists: FTC, Funeral Rule Price List Essentials; FTC sample General Price List.
- Provider examples: Premier Funeral Services General Price List (effective July 15, 2025); Serenity Funeral Home General Price List (August 1, 2026). Both checked September 2026.
Published examples show those providers’ listed prices when checked. They are not averages or quotes. This page is general information, not legal advice.