Death Away From Home
Guidance for Out-of-Town Deaths
Death away from home is very unexpected, but it does happen. The process of handling funeral arrangements is already complicated and stressful, but knowing what to do when this happens away from home can help family members responsible for making any arrangements.
First Step
Contact the funeral director at your local facility. He or she will be able to advise you on the best course of action in dealing with this situation.
Death Inside the United States
When the death occurs within the United States, the family has the option to transport the body back to the home state or town.
This usually requires the use of two funeral homes to provide a part of the services. The first funeral home at the location of death will collect and prepare the body for transport and the second funeral home will receive the body and conduct any services the family would like to hold.
Death Outside the United States
When a death occurs outside of the United States, the process becomes more complex and may require coordination with:
- The U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where death occurred
- Local authorities and medical examiners
- International shipping and documentation services
- Multiple funeral homes for preparation and receiving
Our experienced staff can help coordinate all of these services to bring your loved one home with dignity.
Important
The cost of transferring remains can vary significantly based on distance and international requirements. Our staff will provide you with a clear estimate of all costs involved before proceeding.