Published charges, with their limits
These individual lines appear in our General Price List, effective July 21, 2026. They are not an all-inclusive international quote. Not every line applies to every arrangement, and some choices are alternatives.
| GPL item | Published price | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| Forwarding remains to another funeral home | $3,150 | The GPL service line; ask which services are included in your written arrangement. |
| Receiving remains from another funeral home | $2,750 | A receiving service, not an additional automatic charge for every outbound case. |
| Overseas shipping container | $600 | Confirm the container the selected carrier and destination accept. |
| Air tray or combination unit | $300 | Do not assume this is interchangeable with every overseas container. |
| Legal paperwork: translations, consular fees, apostilles | $500 | Confirm the documents and fees covered for your case. |
The GPL states that basic professional services are included in forwarding and receiving remains. Do not add that basic-services fee again when comparing a quote. Ask for a written breakdown of airline freight, the receiving funeral home and any other excluded charges.
What an international quote should explain
A line for forwarding remains is not enough to describe an entire journey. A family needs to know the starting point, the destination, the preparation and container, the chosen transport and the arrangements after arrival. A quote should distinguish services already included from services that may be selected separately.
| Part of the arrangement | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Sending funeral home | Which care, preparation, collection and paperwork services are included? |
| Carrier and route | Is the freight confirmed for this shipment, or is it an estimate awaiting booking? |
| Receiving provider | Does the quote include collection, local transportation and the intended destination? |
| Documents and outside charges | Which certificates, translations, official fees or other payments remain separate? |
Keep forwarding and receiving services distinct. A family arranging an inbound transfer to DFW has a different scope from one sending remains from Dallas to another country. The receiving provider abroad may issue its own quote and conditions.
Choose the services you actually want
The FTC Funeral Rule protects the ability to choose goods and services, subject to the rule’s provisions. Ask for an explanation when something is described as mandatory: is the requirement from a law, the receiving authority, the carrier or the provider?
Discuss burial or cremation according to the family’s wishes. Do not select an option simply because a general webpage calls it cheaper. If direct cremation is chosen, a casket is not required for that service; alternative containers are available. Requirements for transporting the resulting ashes must be checked separately.
The process follows confirmations, not a fixed calendar
- Establish the route and responsibility. Identify where the remains are held, who is arranging care and who will receive them.
- Review the documents and preparation. Determine which records, permits, translations and destination instructions apply.
- Agree the written scope. Separate the provider’s charges from freight and receiving-side costs.
- Confirm acceptance and transport. Verify the carrier or transport provider’s actual acceptance and schedule.
- Confirm the receiving handoff. Share the necessary arrangements with the receiving funeral home and family contact.
A medical examiner’s release, document correction, official office closure or cargo acceptance issue can affect the sequence. We do not publish a guaranteed arrival date. Ask which specific confirmation is still outstanding and what the next action is.
Before relatives commit to travel
A passenger ticket and a funeral shipment are separate arrangements. Before paying for nonrefundable travel or fixing a service time, ask whether the shipment has been accepted, who will advise the family of a change and whether the receiving provider can collect it when it arrives.
If a connection or ground transfer is involved, ask who is responsible at each point. A published airline route alone does not confirm that the particular remains shipment can use it. The carrier’s human-remains instructions should be read with the actual booking arrangements.
If insurance or assistance may contribute
Ask the insurer or program administrator to confirm coverage, limits, required documents and how payment is made. A policy, an assistance program and the funeral home’s quote are different documents. Do not assume an application guarantees payment or that every charge will be reimbursed.
Tell the arranging team which part of the budget is uncertain. Keep written approvals alongside the quote so the family can distinguish confirmed funds from a pending decision.
Questions families ask
Is $3,150 the entire international cost?
No. It is the published forwarding-remains service line in the GPL. The full scope and additional charges must be explained in the written quote.
Should I add all the GPL shipping lines together?
No. Not every item applies, and some are alternative choices. Ask the provider to identify the required and selected items for the actual arrangement.
Can a website tell me the exact arrival date?
A general guide cannot confirm an individual shipment. Release, documentation, acceptance and receiving arrangements must be settled for that case.
Sources and document dates
- Vargas–London: General Price List, effective July 21, 2026
- FTC: the Funeral Rule
- American Airlines Cargo: human-remains guidance
- Texas DSHS: burial-transit permits
Government and carrier rules can change. Confirm the applicable instructions for the specific shipment. Public sources checked September 20, 2026. The dates displayed by the sources are identified where relevant.