Accidents and unexpected illnesses can happen anywhere and at any time. But when a loved one dies while away from home, an additional level of complexity is added to the final arrangements. To help you find the right solution for your family and your late loved one, here's what you need to know about four common ways to deal with a distant death. 

Funeral Home Transportation

Probably the most common way to get a loved one's body home is to work with a funeral parlor to transport it. A local funeral home in the area where the death occurred can pick up the body from authorities and arrange ground or air transportation with their own network of providers. 

The funeral home will handle everything for you. However, it will add costs to the final arrangements. You may save money by using ground transportation. 

Transportation On Your Own

Some states allow you to transport a body without the assistance of a funeral parlor. First, find out if your state is one of these. If you must bring home a loved one from a different state, both states must allow this. 

You will also need to have the body prepared properly for the trip. This may involve embalming and an approved container that may be needed for airline travel. Transporting the remains may also be more emotionally challenging for family members, so make sure you're up to the task. 

Cremation and Transport

The easiest and least expensive way for most families to transport their deceased loved one home is to have the body cremated first and then transported. 

If the person's wishes were to be cremated or the family plans it, there's usually no reason not to have it done by a reputable funeral parlor or crematorium in the local area. The ashes may then be sent by reliable shippers or hand-carried by the family. 

Burial at the Place of Death

Finally, don't overlook the option of burying your loved one in the area in which they passed away. This may be the most budget-friendly option. It's also a good choice for anyone whose personal or religious beliefs mandated a quick burial. 

This is a good option if the location of death isn't too far away for loved ones to visit. It's also sometimes a great way to honor the deceased if they loved the area in which they died.

Where to Start

If your loved one has passed away while not at home, start by learning more about your family's options. Contact a local funeral home like Carter Funeral Home, Denbigh Chapel for more info. 

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