Transporting a person who has died from New York to another country requires coordination among the family, funeral home, medical certifier, government offices, airline or cargo carrier, consulate, and a receiving funeral provider. Requirements vary by destination and can change.
Begin with the destination and receiving contact
Tell the funeral director the destination country and city as early as possible. If the family already has a receiving funeral home or cemetery, provide its name, telephone number, email address, and local contact person.
Confirm country-specific requirements
The destination may require particular permits, certified records, translations, authentication or apostille, consular documents, embalming or preparation standards, and container specifications. The consulate and receiving funeral provider help confirm what is currently required.
Coordinate documents and preparation
The case may involve a certified death certificate, burial or transit permit, non-contagious disease statement, preparation affidavit, flight information, passport or identification, consular approval, and documents requested by the receiving country. Not every destination uses the same list.
Arrange transportation
International transportation is scheduled only after the required authorizations, documents, preparation, container, and receiving arrangements are in place. Airline availability, cargo schedules, holidays, consular processing, and destination rules can affect timing. A responsible provider should not guarantee a flight date before those dependencies are confirmed.
Request a written breakdown
Ask which charges are Horizon services and which are outside costs such as airline cargo, consular processing, document legalization, translation, local transportation, or receiving-funeral-home expenses.
Use Horizon’s international transportation checklist and call 347-588-5555 to discuss a specific destination.