Death Certificate
Original certified copy required from the state of death. Must include cause of death and be signed by attending physician or medical examiner.
Required Documents for Domestic Body Shipping
Required Documents for Domestic Body Shipping
Section titled “Required Documents for Domestic Body Shipping”When shipping human remains within the United States, specific documentation is required to ensure legal compliance and proper handling. This guide covers all essential documents needed for domestic funeral shipping.
Federal Requirements
Section titled “Federal Requirements”Burial/Transit Permit
State-issued permit authorizing the removal and transportation of human remains. Required by all 50 states with varying formats.
Embalming Certificate
Licensed embalmer certification that proper embalming has been performed according to state and federal standards for transportation.
Funeral Director Authorization
Licensed funeral director must authorize and coordinate the shipment. Known Shipper status required for air transport.
State-Specific Requirements
Section titled “State-Specific Requirements”High-Regulation States
Section titled “High-Regulation States”California:
- Certificate of Death Registration (VS-11)
- Permit for Disposition (VS-9)
- Embalming certificate within 24 hours
New York:
- Certificate of Death (DOH-350)
- Burial/Removal Permit (DOH-349)
- Funeral director license verification
Florida:
- Certificate of Death (DH-1001)
- Authorization for Final Disposition
- Medical examiner clearance if applicable
Standard Requirements States
Section titled “Standard Requirements States”Most states require:
- Certified death certificate
- Transit permit or burial permit
- Embalming certificate for air transport
- Funeral director authorization
Processing Timeline
Section titled “Processing Timeline”| Document Type | Standard Processing | Expedited Processing |
|---|---|---|
| Death Certificate | 5-10 business days | 24-48 hours |
| Transit Permit | Same day | Same day |
| Embalming Certificate | Within 24 hours | Within 24 hours |
Common Issues and Solutions
Section titled “Common Issues and Solutions”Missing Medical Examiner Clearance:
- Required for sudden, unexpected, or unattended deaths
- Can delay process 24-72 hours
- Contact ME office directly for status updates
Out-of-State Funeral Director:
- Must be licensed in state of death
- May require local funeral home coordination
- Impacts Known Shipper authorization
Weekend/Holiday Deaths:
- Vital records offices closed
- Expedited processing may not be available
- Plan for 2-3 day delays
Contact Information
Section titled “Contact Information”State Vital Records Offices
Section titled “State Vital Records Offices”Need specific state information? Contact our documentation specialists at:
- Emergency: +1 (617) 306-2716 (24/7)
- Email: docs@memorial.industries
- Text: Emergency document help available
Last updated: Current as of state regulations. Requirements may change - always verify with current state offices.