Repatriation of remains between Peru and the USA
When someone dies away from home, bringing them back to their family and loved ones can be an important part of saying goodbye. If you need to arrange repatriation between the USA and Peru, Homeland International can help manage the arrangements and guide you through the practical steps involved.
Whether your loved one has died in the United States and needs to return to Peru, or has passed away in Peru and needs to be brought back to the USA, we understand that every family’s circumstances are different. From arranging collection and preparation to coordinating flights and the necessary paperwork, our experienced team will help make the process as straightforward as possible.
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 Peru.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide advice and support when you need it.
How does repatriation between the USA and Peru work?
International repatriation requires careful coordination between funeral directors, airlines and the relevant authorities in both countries. The arrangements will depend on where the death occurred, the destination and the circumstances of the individual case.
We start by discussing your requirements and establishing where your loved one is being cared for and where they need to be taken. A local funeral director will arrange collection and preparation, including embalming and an appropriate coffin or air-transport container where required.
For journeys involving Peru, it is particularly important to make sure the receiving arrangements are in place before the flight is confirmed. The person receiving the deceased in Peru may need to be identified in the air waybill and be ready to deal with the airport’s handling and health formalities on arrival.
We coordinate the relevant paperwork and liaise with the airline to arrange suitable transportation. We can also work with the receiving funeral director to organise collection from the destination airport and onward transportation to the family’s chosen location.
Whether the journey is from the USA to Peru or from Peru to the USA, we will explain what needs to happen and help coordinate each stage.
What documents are required for repatriation between the USA and Peru?
The paperwork for international transportation depends on the direction of travel and the local requirements where the death occurred. Documents may also need to be apostilled, legalised or translated before they can be accepted.
For repatriation from the USA to Peru, the documents may include:
The original local death certificate.
An embalming certificate for transportation of the deceased in a coffin.
A certificate confirming that the deceased did not have a communicable or infectious disease.
A medical document confirming the cause of death, if this is not already recorded on the death certificate or supporting paperwork.
An autopsy report, where applicable, such as in cases involving a violent or unexplained death.
Apostilles or consular legalisation of relevant documents.
A Spanish translation of documents where required.
An air waybill showing the details of the person responsible for receiving the deceased in Peru.
For repatriation from Peru to the USA, the documentation commonly includes:
The Peruvian 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 authorities generally require specific documentation to accompany human remains entering the country. The exact requirements should be checked against the circumstances and the relevant local procedures.
If the deceased is being transported as cremated remains rather than in a coffin, the documentation and airline arrangements will be different. A death certificate and cremation certificate are commonly required, and the airline’s rules for carrying or transporting an urn must be checked.
Our team can help establish which documents are needed for your particular journey and coordinate with the relevant funeral directors and authorities.
How much does repatriation between the USA and Peru cost?
The cost of repatriation between the USA and Peru depends on the locations involved and the services needed. We provide an individual quotation once we understand the circumstances and the arrangements required.
The main factors that can affect the price include:
The location of the death and the distance to the departure airport.
The destination airport and any onward journey within Peru or the USA.
Local funeral director fees and preparation costs.
Embalming and the coffin or approved air-transport container.
Airline freight charges and flight availability.
Apostilles, translations, consular paperwork and other documentation.
Airport handling and collection arrangements at the destination.
For journeys to Peru, the final destination beyond Lima may also affect the overall cost, as additional transportation could be needed after arrival.
Typically you can expect costs for repatriations between these countries to cost between $5000 – $15,000 USD
We will talk you through the options and provide a quotation based on the specific requirements, with no two journeys assumed to be the same.
Which airports can we repatriate to in the USA and Peru?
The airport used will depend on the location of the death, the family’s chosen destination, available airline cargo services and the arrangements that can be made for the shipment.
Airports in Peru
Lima – Jorge Chávez International Airport is the principal customs airport identified for the arrival of international human remains. It is an important point of entry for repatriation into Peru.
If your loved one needs to continue their journey to another part of the country, onward transportation can be considered once the arrival arrangements and local requirements have been confirmed.
Airports in the USA
Depending on the location and available airline services, potential international gateways in the United States may include:
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York
Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey
Miami International Airport, Florida
Los Angeles International Airport, California
Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Illinois
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Texas
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Texas
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Georgia
These are examples of major international airports rather than a guaranteed list of airports accepting human remains shipments. We will check the suitable departure or arrival airport and routing for your individual arrangements.
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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