Transfer the remains of a deceased person

The requirements to transfer human remains to Uruguay are:

  • The presentation to the Consulate, a request letter of the interested persons who are friends/family of the deceased. If you are in Uruguay, you can send an email, requesting authorization to transfer the remains back to Uruguay. Find model of the note attached

  • The presentation of the Death Certificate issued by the corresponding authority and apostilled

  • The presentation of the embalming y closing of the casket. This document is printed directly by the funerary parlor, for which it is requested that said parlor issues a notarized letter establishing that said certificate is an original from the Health Department. This certificate needs to be apostilled

  • The authorization of the transfer of remains (transit burial permit) issued by the Health Department of the United States.

  • Certificate that the person did not die of an infectious disease. Said certificate is issued by the Health Department, and is accepted if it comes with a notarized note from the funerary parlor, saying it is an original.

  • You will have to present a note in which it is specified when and how the transfer will take place (day, flight number, etc.), so that the Consulate can issue an additional boarding certificate.

Transfer of the ashes

  • In the case of the transfer of ashes or reduced remains, the same procedure described above are carried out, but instead of the embalming certificate, the cremation certificate will be presented, which the funeral home will have to notarize. This certificate needs to be apostilled

  • When the remains arrive in Uruguay, the National Customs Office must stamp the corresponding documentation.

On the other hand, keep in mind the following aspects:

  • In the case where the cause of death was due to an infectious sickness, the transfer of the body or remains will not be accepted until 10 years have passed.

  • We recommend that you contact the airline which you plan on traveling with to transfer the remains as to check that the do perform that type of transfer procedure and what are the corresponding requirements.

In case you have further questions about this procedure, please send an email to cgsanfrancisco@mrree.gub.uy