What is the Cost of Shipping a Body or Decedent across North America?

Mallory J Greene
Mallory J Greene
May 23rd 2024 - 6 minute read
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Losing a loved one away from home is extremely difficult. This guide explains the key factors that impact the cost of shipping a deceased body by flight within North America, such as transport distance, starting location, weight, and need for expedited services.

Losing a loved one is an emotionally devastating experience, made even more challenging when the death occurs away from home. During this difficult time, you need a compassionate partner who can handle the intricate logistics of repatriating the deceased with care and professionalism. At Eirene, we understand the importance of bringing your loved one home with dignity, which is why we have partnered with a renowned provider with decades of experience in seamless body shipment services across Canada and the United States.

What Factors Impact the Cost of Shipping a Deceased Loved One?

The overall cost for repatriating a loved one's remains can vary significantly depending on several key factors:

Distance of Transport

Naturally, shipping a body a longer distance will incur higher transportation and logistics fees than a short-haul shipment. Flights spanning multiple regions or crossing borders tend to be more costly.

Starting Location

The specific place of passing can impact costs, as arrangements may be more complex if the deceased passed away in a remote area versus an urban center.

Weight of the Deceased

Air freight rates are based primarily on the weight of the shipment. A minimal container weighs around 200 lbs, so the weight of the deceased added to this base rate impacts pricing.

Need for Expedited or Charter Services

In certain circumstances, a private charter flight may be required to repatriate the deceased in a timely manner, which increases costs significantly.

Route Complexity and Connections

Non-stop flights are ideal but not always possible. Each additional connection adds to the overall logistics and shipping fees.

At Eirene, we provide personalized quotes that account for all these variables to ensure transparent, fair pricing for every repatriation case we handle.

Streamlined Logistics for a Seamless Experience

Booking flights, coordinating shipments, and navigating complex paperwork can seem like overwhelming tasks when you're already coping with grief. Allow us to simplify the process with our streamlined logistics solutions, alleviating the burden so you can focus on honoring your loved one's memory.

Our comprehensive services include:

  • Flight bookings and connections
  • Ramp transfers and freight arrangements
  • Pre-payment of shipping charges
  • Access to private charter services (if required)

By entrusting the logistics to our experienced team, you can have peace of mind knowing that every detail is being handled with the utmost care and efficiency.

A Reliable Partner You Can Trust

Eirene's trusted partner is renowned for their quality workmanship and adherence to the highest standards of practice in body transportation. They work closely with government agencies and institutions like Health Canada, the Federal Departments of Foreign Affairs, and Defence, ensuring full compliance with all regulations and protocols.

Whether the need arises in major cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, or Miami, or in remote areas, you can rely on their expertise combined with our fair pricing model and signature service guarantee. Our partner's extensive network and years of experience ensure a seamless experience, no matter the logistical complexities involved.

Approximate Costs for Common Shipping Routes

To give you a better sense of the costs involved, here are some approximate baseline pricing examples for common body repatriation routes within North America:

New York to Toronto: $1,200 - $1,800
Los Angeles to Vancouver: $1,400 - $2,000
Miami to Montreal: $1,600 - $2,200
Chicago to Mexico City: $2,800 - $4,000

These are baseline estimates only and do not account for factors like expedited services or excess weight fees. Our team will provide you with an accurate, personalized quote based on your specific shipment details.

Transparent Pricing and Superior Service

At Eirene, we believe in offering transparent pricing and superior service every step of the way. To receive a quote for your body shipment needs, simply provide us with the following information:

  • Your name
  • Email
  • Phone number
  • Location of the deceased
  • Destination for the transport
  • Requested date/timeframe for the shipment

Within 24 hours, our team will provide you with a comprehensive quote, addressing all logistics and service details. We strive to ensure you have a clear understanding of the costs involved, without any hidden fees or surprises.

A Compassionate and Seamless Process

When you choose Eirene for your body repatriation needs, you can expect a compassionate and seamless process from start to finish. Here's how it works:

Step 1: Pickup

We coordinate with our trusted partner to respectfully bring your loved one into care from the place of passing.

Step 2: Documentation

We will work closely with the relevant consulates to ensure all necessary paperwork is properly completed, translated (if needed), and authenticated for the shipment.

Step 3: Receiving Funeral Home Coordination

We'll confirm the contact details of the receiving funeral home and collaborate with them to finalize the shipment schedule and share any required documentation in advance.

Step 4: Flight Booking

We'll book the flight for transport. You'll receive a tentative timeline which will be updated as documentation is processed.

Step 5: Shipment Day

On the scheduled day, our trusted partner will oversee the shipment process at the departing location, providing all paperwork to the airline and receiving funeral home. Final shipping charges based on weight will be confirmed at this time.

Step 6: Safe Delivery

With professionalism and care, we ensure your loved one is transported safely to their final destination.

At Your Service, Within Reach

Entrusting the repatriation of your loved one to Eirene means you'll receive personalized attention and support every step of the way. Our team is just a call away, ready to guide you through this process with professionalism and care.

Reach out to us today for a seamless body transport experience across North America. We understand the emotional weight of this situation, and we're here to lighten the logistical burden, allowing you to focus on honoring your loved one's memory.

Note: Eirene partners with a trusted provider to facilitate body transportation services. We are not able to arrange shipments to destinations that require embalming services.