Why preparation is asked for at all
International transfer of human remains is regulated for public health reasons. Countries and carriers want assurance that a body travelling in a sealed container over many hours presents no risk, and preparation is the usual way that assurance is given.
The requirement attaches to the route rather than to the person. The same case can require embalming on one routing and not on another.
Embalming and the alternatives
Embalming, called thanatopraxy in some jurisdictions, is required by a number of countries as a condition of entry or departure. Where it is required, no exemption is available on request and the certificate confirming it forms part of the travel documents.
Elsewhere, refrigeration combined with a hermetically sealed coffin is accepted instead. This route is common where the journey is short, where the flight can be arranged quickly, or where the religion of the deceased objects to embalming.
Where religious law is involved
Jewish and Muslim practice both generally oppose embalming and favour burial without delay. In practice this shapes the whole plan: the priority becomes the fastest lawful routing with a sealed, refrigerated transfer rather than the cheapest one.
Whether that is achievable is a question about the specific country of death, and it is one of the first things worth establishing in a case where it matters.
What families should ask before authorising
Before authorising any preparation, it is reasonable to ask which authority requires it, whether the requirement comes from the origin country, the destination or the carrier, and what the alternative would be if the routing changed.
A preparation carried out without that check can turn out to be unnecessary, and in some cases conflicts with the family’s own religious requirements.
This is general information, not advice on a specific case. Requirements differ between countries, between airlines and sometimes between cases. We are a private coordination company, not a government body, embassy or consulate.
Common questions on this subject
Is embalming always required for an international flight?
No. It is required on many routes and not on others. The requirement comes from the countries involved and the airline, so it is established per case rather than assumed.
Can a transfer be arranged without embalming for religious reasons?
Often yes, using refrigeration and a sealed coffin, and where the routing allows it to be done quickly. Whether it is possible depends on the country of death and the carrier, and needs to be confirmed before anything is authorised.
Who performs the preparation?
A licensed provider in the country where the death occurred. The certificate they issue travels with the deceased and is checked by the airline and by the receiving authority.