Texas Body Transport Rules & Regulations

Within Texas

Local transportation within Texas requires a burial-transit permit issued by the local registrar. Requirements include:

• Burial-transit permit obtained before moving remains
• Transport must be conducted by licensed funeral director or authorized personnel
• Proper vehicle and containment requirements must be met
• Destination must be documented and reported

Interstate Transport

Moving remains across state lines from or to Texas requires additional documentation:

• Transit permit from state of origin
• Receiving state permit (if required by destination state)
• Death certificate certified by vital statistics office
• Embalming certificate (if remains are embalmed)
• Airline or common carrier specific requirements

International Transport

International repatriation from or to Texas involves complex requirements:

• Consular approval from destination country
• Apostille or authentication of death certificate
• Hermetically sealed casket (often required)
• Embalming may be mandatory
• Customs clearance documentation
• Translation of documents into destination language

Air Transport

Airlines have specific requirements for shipping human remains. Remains must be properly contained in approved shipping containers called "air trays," enclosed in combination units that meet International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations. Funeral directors typically coordinate airline shipping arrangements.