Can I Transport A Dead Body Myself?

So many questions will come crashing on you after you lose a loved one. While you’re thinking about carrying on with life without them, you’re also thinking about giving them a befitting funeral. The issue gets complicated if the loved one had died outside Van Buren, NY or the funeral is to take place at a different location. The first question that probably pops up is how funeral homes in Van Buren, NY can be used to transport the remains. This is a valid concern, and in this post, you will see how the funeral home can help you convey your dead body.

Am I Permitted to Transport a Dead Body Myself?

We would advise that you employ a funeral home service because of the arrangements that need to be made. However, nothing outright prohibits you from transporting a dead body from one state to the other. Nonetheless, while there are no outright prohibitions, there are regulations that guide moving a dead body around. Hence, if you decide to transport your dead body, you will have to stick to the rules.

Regulations Guiding Moving of The Dead Body

The regulations guiding the movement of a dead body differ from state to state. Yet, there are general rules that apply across state lines. Some of these general rules are:

• Sealing The Body: One of the general regulations required is that the body must be properly sealed in a shipping container. You expect this since you will be transporting the body in public. Often, this regulation is strictly enforced to protect other motorists and the general public.
• Embalm The Body: Many states require that you embalm the body upon entering their territory. However, this does not apply to all states, so you might want to find out the position of the state you will be passing to your destination.
• Get A Burial Transit Permit: To transport the body of your loved one, you will have to obtain a Burial Transit Permit. This will grant you clearance to move the body from its present location to your preferred destination.
• Make Advance Arrangements: If you will be transporting a dead body, it is most times required that you make arrangements with a funeral home in your destination. This is so there can be proper handling of the human remains when you get there. If you use a funeral home to transport, they will have to arrange with another funeral home in your destination.
• Get A Licensed Funeral Director: In many states, it is required that you have a licensed funeral director go with you. Some might even require that you present a funeral license number. While getting a licensed funeral director isn’t a big deal, you can save yourself the stress and let a funeral home handle the transportation.
• Get The Death Certificate and Other Necessary Certificates: If you are moving a whole dead body across States, you will need more than word of mouths to explain that the dead body was once your relative. This is why you need a death certificate issued by a qualified doctor or a hospital. This death certificate should reflect the identity of the dead, the date and time of death, and the cause of death. In addition, other certificates may identify you as having the authority to transport the dead body and prove your relationship with the dead.

Conclusion

Whether or not you want to transport the remains, one sure thing is that funeral homes in Van Buren, NY will be a top consideration. Therefore, it is important to reach out to a funeral home to rent their funeral home van. This way, you can transport the remains without encountering many difficulties with the authorities.