Funeral shipping between Italy and the US
We ship human remains and cremated remains from Italy to the United States and from the US to Italy, working with US funeral homes and with the consulates of both countries.
From Italy to the US
When a US citizen dies in Italy, the death is registered in Italy and reported to the US embassy or consulate.
Italian and US documents
- Italian death certificate and authorisation to transport the body
- Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad, issued by the US consulate
- English translation of the death certificate where needed
- consular documents that accompany the remains
CDC requirements
Under the rules of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all remains that are not cremated must travel in a leak-proof container. Remains that are neither embalmed nor cremated need a death certificate stating the cause of death, in English or with a translation.
From the US to Italy
The Italian consulate responsible for the place of death handles the authorisation for transport to Italy.
Documents for the Italian consulate
- long-form death certificates with apostille
- full Italian translation of the death certificate
- physician’s certificate of the cause of death
- certificate on the absence of infectious diseases
- proof of Italian citizenship, where applicable
Mortuary passport
Once the documents are approved, the consulate issues the mortuary passport that accompanies the coffin. The flight should be booked only after it has been issued.
Documents and receiving funeral home
In the United States we work with funeral homes that receive the remains at the airport and complete the formalities required by the state of destination. Local procedures and costs vary from area to area.
In Italy we act as the receiving funeral director: we collect the coffin and take it to the cemetery or crematorium.
Air transport, handover and timing
Air transport
Human remains travel as air cargo, on routes between Italian airports and US hubs. We book the flight and prepare the coffin to the airline’s standards.
Handover
We agree the arrival time with the receiving funeral home, which collects the coffin at the cargo terminal.
Timing
Apostilles, translations and consular approvals take time. Some Italian consulates in the US indicate around three weeks for the whole procedure.
Cremated remains: shipping or travel
Travelling with the urn
A family member can often carry the urn on the plane. Check the airline’s rules and carry the death and cremation certificates.
Shipping the urn
From the US, USPS ships cremated remains abroad with Priority Mail Express International, in a sealed inner urn placed in a sturdy outer box.
Request a quote
Tell us where the death occurred and where the body or the urn needs to go. We will call you back as soon as possible to explain timing, documents and costs.
If it is urgent, call us now, at any time:
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions families ask us most often. For your specific situation, call us: we answer at any time.
Related guides
How much does it cost to ship a body between Italy and the US?
It depends on the route, the airline, the documents and the services required in both countries. We send you a personalised quote.
Does insurance cover funeral shipping?
Some travel insurance policies cover the repatriation of remains up to a set limit. Contact the insurer before making arrangements.
Which airports are used?
We choose the route between the Italian airport closest to the place of death and the US airport closest to the receiving funeral home.
Does a US death abroad need to be reported?
Yes. The US embassy or consulate issues the Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad, which is used for legal matters in the United States.
Can cremated remains be sent by mail?
From the US, USPS accepts cremated remains for international shipping with Priority Mail Express International, if the destination country allows them. We can arrange the shipping for you.