International Shipping of Remains to the Jamaica
Losing someone close to us is heartbreaking, and arranging for their return home to Jamaica can make an already painful moment feel even heavier. At Fairhaven Memorial Chapel, we recognize the deep cultural, spiritual, and family significance of bringing someone back to their island home. Our experienced staff manages every step of the international transport process with precision, dignity, and compassion.
We follow Jamaican consular guidelines, U.S. transportation regulations, and airline standards so that your family faces as few burdens as possible. From documentation to airport coordination, we ensure that your loved one’s transfer back to Jamaica is handled with respect from beginning to end.
Process & Requirements
Initial Arrangements: Once we are notified of the death, our team gathers the necessary details and requests the official death certificate from the appropriate local authority. We guide you through any consular paperwork needed for Jamaica and ensure all forms meet international standards.
Embalming and Preparation: Jamaican authorities require the body to be embalmed before transportation. Our licensed professionals complete embalming promptly in accordance with U.S. health regulations. The remains are dressed and placed in an approved hermetically sealed casket and air-tray suitable for international air transport.
Shipping Remains to Jamaica:
Step-by-step Guidance
Shipping remains to Jamaica involves multiple steps, each requiring careful attention. Here’s how we handle the process, drawing from Jamaican consular guidelines and industry practices:
Once we are notified of the death, our team gathers the necessary details and requests the official death certificate from the appropriate local authority. We guide you through any consular paperwork needed for Jamaica and ensure all forms meet international standards.
Jamaican authorities require the body to be embalmed before transportation. Our licensed professionals complete embalming promptly in accordance with U.S. health regulations. The remains are dressed and placed in an approved hermetically sealed casket and air-tray suitable for international air transport.
You will need several official documents. These are the core documents required by the Government of Jamaica:
- Official Death Certificate – Original required
- Embalming Certificate – Must detail how the body was prepared and confirm that only the decedent is inside the casket (original required)
- Statement of Assurance – Confirms the body is sealed in an airtight casket or lead coffin when needed (original required)
- Certificate of Release / Transit Permit – Lists the name and age of the deceased (original required)
- Passport or Government-Issued ID of the Deceased – Original required
We ensure all documentation is prepared accurately for customs review and airline acceptance.
- We arrange transportation, typically by air (airtray and airline fees included), working with carriers experienced in handling human remains to ensure a respectful process.
- Our team coordinates with the receiving funeral home in Jamaica for a seamless handoff, managing logistics based on availability and routes.
- Upon arrival, we confirm the receiving funeral home is ready to handle the remains, preparing them for burial or a funeral as you wish. We stay in touch to keep you updated.
- This process typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, depending on documentation and transport schedules, aligning with industry norms.
Family Responsibilities
What You Need To Provide
While we manage most arrangements, your help with a few items ensures a smooth process:
- Passport or Birth Certificate: Provide an active or canceled passport or birth certificate of the deceased to verify identity and nationality—crucial for consular steps.
- Receiving Funeral Home Details: Share the name, address, phone number, and email of the funeral home in Jamaica receiving the remains for final coordination.
Having these ready early helps avoid delays, and our staff can assist with communication if needed.
Financial Transparency
Understanding the Costs
Our pricing for shipping remains to Jamaica is all-inclusive, designed to ease your burden. Here’s what’s covered:
- Transfer of Remains
- Embalming
- Basic Funeral Arrangements
- 3 Hour Chapel Services
- Custodial Care Supervision of Staff
- Dress/Casketing
- Hearse
- Selective Sealer Casket
- Airtray
- Airline
- Health Department
- Consulate Charges
- Apostile
Additional services, like extended ceremonies or specific caskets, are extra and can be detailed upon request. Cremation and ash transport are more affordable alternatives—we’re happy to provide separate quotes if that’s your preference with separate quotes available. (International Remains Transport)
Ready to get started?
Frequently Asked Questions
The timeline can vary, typically taking 1 to 2 weeks, depending on documentation availability and transportation schedules. We’ll keep you updated throughout.
If these are unavailable, you may need to provide a declaration stating the relationship and confirming identity. Our team can guide you through this, ensuring compliance with consular requirements.
Yes, we offer various options for caskets and containers. Our staff can assist in selecting the most suitable one based on your preferences and needs, ensuring it meets transport regulations.
We’ll do our best to accommodate your schedule, but some services may have limited availability during holidays or weekends. Planning ahead is important, and we’ll advise on the best course of action.
Cremation is a more economical option, involving obtaining a cremation certificate and transporting ashes. Airlines or customs may request this certificate, and we can provide a separate quote if needed, ensuring a dignified process.
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2601 Pitkin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11208
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