Information to have for the first call
Do not delay calling if some information is unavailable. The funeral director can begin by identifying the location, destination, authorized decision-maker, and organizations that must be contacted.
- Full legal name of the person who died and current location
- Desired country, city, and cemetery or crematory destination
- Citizenship and available passport or identity documents
- Name and contact details for the authorized decision-maker
- Preferred receiving funeral home, if one has been selected
- Family's requested timing and any scheduled ceremony abroad
Documents commonly coordinated
The exact list must be confirmed for the destination. A country may require certified copies, authentication or apostille, consular approval, translation, health documentation, permits, or forms issued by the receiving authority.
- Certified death certificate or equivalent civil record
- Transit, burial, cremation, or disposition permits
- Consular certificate or mortuary passport when required
- Embalming, preparation, or non-contagious-disease statements when required
- Passport or proof of citizenship when requested
- Certified translation, authentication, or apostille when required
Questions for the sending and receiving funeral homes
One funeral home normally coordinates the sending side and another receives the person at the destination. Confirm responsibilities in writing so transportation, documents, local services, cemetery arrangements, and payment are not duplicated or omitted.
- Who is the family's primary point of contact?
- Which documents will each funeral home obtain?
- Which preparation and transport container does the destination require?
- Who books the airline or ground carrier and tracks the transfer?
- Who coordinates customs, airport release, and destination transportation?
- Which charges are funeral-home fees, carrier charges, government fees, or cash advances?
Timing and travel planning
Avoid booking family travel or announcing a final service date until the required documents, approvals, receiving arrangements, and carrier space are confirmed. Weekends, holidays, government closures, flight schedules, and corrections to official records can affect timing.
- Ask for milestone updates rather than an unconfirmed arrival promise
- Provide several reliable family contacts in different time zones
- Confirm the airway bill or carrier reference when issued
- Verify receipt directly with the destination funeral home
Transporting cremated remains
Cremated remains may involve different airline, hand-carry, mailing, screening, consular, and destination rules. Use a container that meets the chosen carrier's requirements, keep the required documents accessible, and verify the current rules before travel or mailing.