Repatriation of remains between Argentina and the USA
When a loved one dies far from home, bringing them back to be with family can feel like an overwhelming task. Whether you need to arrange repatriation from the USA to Argentina or from Argentina to the USA, Homeland International can help coordinate the practical arrangements with care and professionalism.
With family connections spanning Buenos Aires, other parts of Argentina and communities throughout the United States, every journey is different. We work with local funeral directors, airlines and the relevant authorities to organise the transportation, documentation and arrangements needed to bring your loved one home.
Our Americas Hub in Miami with the support of our Spanish speaking team based in Latin America is well positioned to support with any repatriation in the US or Argentina.
How does repatriation between the USA and Argentina work?
Repatriation between the USA and Argentina involves several organisations, and the arrangements will depend on where the death occurred and the intended destination.
We begin by establishing the circumstances, the collection location and the receiving funeral director or family contact. We can then coordinate with a funeral director in the country of departure to arrange collection, preparation and the appropriate coffin or transport container.
The necessary paperwork is an important part of the process. This may involve death registration documents, health certificates, funeral director declarations, consular paperwork and export or import clearances. Requirements can differ between US states and Argentine jurisdictions, so we check the relevant requirements for the individual journey rather than relying on a standard set of documents.
Once the arrangements and paperwork have been confirmed, we liaise with the airline to organise the flight. We also coordinate with the receiving funeral director so that collection and onward transportation can be arranged when your loved one arrives.
The process usually takes 7 to 10 working days.
Whether the journey is from the USA to Argentina or in the opposite direction, we can guide you through each stage.
What documents are required for repatriation between the USA and Argentina?
The documents needed depend on the direction of travel, the place of death and the circumstances. We will help establish which certificates and authorisations are required before transportation is booked.
For repatriation from the USA to Argentina, the paperwork may include:
The local death certificate.
A certificate confirming that the deceased did not die from a communicable or infectious disease.
An embalming certificate or funeral director’s declaration confirming how the deceased has been prepared.
Confirmation that the deceased has been placed in an approved container suitable for air transportation.
Apostilles or other authentication of documents, where required.
Any additional documentation requested by the relevant Argentine authorities or airline.
Argentine consular guidance published by its consulates in the United States sets out requirements for death and health certificates, funeral home preparation documents and apostilles. The precise requirements should be checked with the relevant consular jurisdiction and airline.
For repatriation from Argentina to the USA, the documents commonly required include:
The Argentine death certificate.
A Consular Mortuary Certificate.
An affidavit or declaration from the local funeral director.
A transit or export permit, where required.
Supporting health and preparation certificates, as applicable.
The US State Department identifies the Consular Mortuary Certificate, local death certificate, funeral director affidavit and transit permit as the usual documents for returning human remains to the United States. Additional paperwork may be necessary depending on the circumstances.
Our team can help coordinate the documentation with the relevant funeral directors and authorities, ensuring that the requirements for the specific route are checked before departure.
How much does repatriation between the USA and Argentina cost?
The cost of repatriation between the USA and Argentina depends on the individual circumstances and the services required. There is no single price that applies to every journey.
Factors that can affect the overall cost include:
The location where the death occurred and the distance to the departure airport.
The destination in Argentina or the USA and any onward transportation required.
Local funeral director and preparation fees.
The coffin or approved air-transport container.
Airline freight charges and flight arrangements.
Documentation, certification, apostilles and any required translations.
Airport handling and customs arrangements.
Argentina is a large country, so the final destination can make a significant difference to the arrangements and cost. We will discuss the details with you and provide a quotation based on the route and services required.
Which airports can we repatriate to in the USA and Argentina?
The choice of airport depends on the location of the death, the final destination, airline cargo services and the arrangements available for the particular shipment.
Airports in Argentina
Buenos Aires – Ministro Pistarini International Airport, also known as Ezeiza International Airport, is the airport that meets international customs requirements. Other airports may be relevant for onward domestic transportation, but their suitability for receiving international human remains shipments must be confirmed for each case.
Airports in the USA
Depending on the departure or destination location and available airline services, potential US gateways may include:
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John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York
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Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey
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Miami International Airport, Florida
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Los Angeles International Airport, California
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Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Illinois
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Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas
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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia
These are examples of major international gateways, not a confirmed list of airports approved for every repatriation. The appropriate airport and routing will be checked when the arrangements are made.
Request Quotation
Please provide us with some information such as where the repatriation is to and from so we can provide a quotation to you. You can contact us using one of the methods below:
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