New Jersey · International Shipping
Can a Funeral Home in New Jersey Ship Remains Overseas?
Last reviewed November 2026
Yes. A licensed New Jersey funeral director can ship a loved one's remains to another country. State law requires a transit permit from the local registrar where the death occurred before any body is shipped by a common carrier. The funeral home must also meet airline security rules and the destination country's embassy requirements. Many New Jersey funeral homes rarely ship internationally, so they often work with a repatriation specialist.
How international shipping works from New Jersey
- A licensed funeral director takes charge. In New Jersey the funeral director files the death certificate through the state's electronic system and receives the permit in exchange.
- The local registrar issues the transit permit. State law says no one may ship a body by common carrier, within or outside the state, until the registrar of the district where the death occurred has issued it.
- The remains are prepared for international travel. This means embalming, a hermetically sealed metal casket and an outer shipping container or air tray.
- Embassy documents are obtained. Each country has its own permit letter, mortuary certificate or travel document.
- The airline booking is made by a shipper that meets airline and TSA security requirements for human remains.
- The casket is handed to a receiving funeral home or family in the destination country.
For families
You can use the funeral home you already trust. We work alongside it on the international parts: the consulate dossier, the health waiver or permits needed back home, tracking the airline booking and the hand-off at arrival. If you don't have a funeral home yet, we'll help you choose one experienced in international shipping. Their Journey Home is a coordination service, not a licensed funeral establishment, so a licensed funeral director always cares for and transports your loved one.
For New Jersey funeral directors
If a family asks you to send a loved one to Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Liberia or elsewhere in West Africa, we can take the international work off your desk while the family stays with you.
- Consulate and embassy applications prepared and tracked
- Coordination with family and receiving funeral homes overseas
- Flight tracking and updates for the family
- One contact for the family, so your staff isn't fielding calls about the embassy
Call 732.383.0267 or read about our concierge service to set up a referral partnership.
Let us help bring your loved one home
The first call is free. Tell us where your loved one passed and where they will be laid to rest, and we'll explain the steps and give you a written quote.
Questions families ask
Does every New Jersey funeral home ship internationally?
Any licensed funeral director can, but many do it only a few times a year. Embassy rules differ by country and change often, so many funeral homes partner with a repatriation specialist.
What permit is needed to ship a body out of New Jersey?
A transit permit issued by the local registrar of the district where the death occurred. The funeral director obtains it when filing the death certificate.
Can we choose our own funeral home and still use your service?
Yes. We coordinate with the funeral home of your choice on the international steps.
Do you serve families outside New Jersey?
Yes. We work by phone, video and WhatsApp with families anywhere in the United States.