Cost to Ship a Body Home to Jamaica from the US/UK/Canada (2026 Guide)
What it costs to ship a deceased loved one home to Jamaica in 2026: Ministry of Health transit permit (J$10,000), documents, airline cargo, ashes vs body, and next steps.
Quick summary
- A Ministry of Health and Wellness transit permit is required before remains or ashes arrive; Customs detains remains without it (Jamaica Observer, Jan 2026).
- Reported permit fee: J$10,000, applied for through the parish health department.
- Needed: death certificate with cause of death, embalming certificate, cremation certificate if ashes, flight details; leak-proof container/ sealed casket where required.
- Total cost commonly runs several thousand US dollars for a body (funeral home + air cargo); ashes are far cheaper — estimates only.
Step-by-step
- Choose a funeral home abroad experienced in international shipping.
- Get certified death certificates (several copies) and the embalming certificate.
- Apply to the Jamaican health department (via your receiving funeral home in Jamaica) for the transit permit; notify health authorities at least 24 hours before arrival.
- Get any consular paperwork your local Jamaican consulate requires (Toronto, Houston and others list their own steps).
- Book air cargo; the receiving funeral home in Jamaica clears the remains.
Estimated costs (2026)
| Item | Cost / detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| MOH transit permit | J$10,000 (reported) | MOHW / Observer |
| Embalming + shipping case | US$1,500–4,000 (estimate) | Funeral homes |
| Air cargo to KIN/MBJ | US$1,000–3,500 (estimate, by weight/route) | Airlines |
| Cremation + ashes shipping | US$800–3,000 total (estimate) | Market |
| Jamaican funeral home receiving | Varies (estimate) | — |
After the funeral: the estate
Land, bank accounts and vehicles in Jamaica do not pass automatically. If there is no will, the family usually needs Letters of Administration; with a will, a grant of probate.
Probate / Letters of Administration help — from US$150
We organise the document checklist and connect you with a Jamaican attorney via WhatsApp. HowJamaica is not a law firm.
Find out what land they owned
Pull the official NLA title by Volume/Folio before the family meeting. From US$49.
Planning ahead for yourself? A simple Jamaican will saves your family months of court work.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Fees change without notice; confirm with the agency (and a Jamaican attorney for legal matters) before paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a body to Jamaica from the US?
Often several thousand US dollars all-in (funeral home preparation plus air cargo) plus a J$10,000 MOH transit permit. Get written quotes; these are estimates.
Do I need a permit to bring ashes to Jamaica?
Yes. Health authorities say a transit permit is required for both bodies and ashes.
Estate & Probate Concierge
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Letters of administration and probate from overseas: we gather the death certificate, title search and family documents, coordinate with the Administrator General or a Jamaican attorney, and keep you updated on WhatsApp.
From $150 USDAttorney and court fees quoted separately
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- Volume/Folio land clauses
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