Death of an American
Disposition of Remains Report
The following general information is provided to assist families with their initial decisions following the death of a loved one. Indicated costs are estimates, based on deaths with no unusual circumstances.
A. Maximum Period Before Interment
(1) There is no fixed period if the body is embalmed and refrigeration is available. Both services are generally available in Baja California, but not in much of Baja California Sur -- except for La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.
(2) Within 24 hours after death, if body is not embalmed.
B. Embalming
Baja California has dozens of funeral homes, 29 reputable firms are on the Consulate’s list. All funeral homes on the list offer embalming services. Embalming must be done within 24 hours after death. Embalming services are generally not up to United States standards. You can see the Consulate’s list by clicking here.
C. Cremation
Local laws permit cremation if requested by next of kin, who must be present to sign the cremation paperwork. There are three cremation facilities in Tijuana (Funeraria Gonzalez, Crematorio Capilla Santa Gema, and Crematorio CIBCSA); Rosarito does not have cremation facilities; Ensenada has two cremation facilities (Funeraria Moreno and Funareria Jardin Modelo); Mexicali has one cremation facility (Funeraria Jardin de la Esperanza). There is only one cremation facility in all of Baja California Sur. It is located in La Paz (Jardines Del Recuerdo). Local cremation procedures result in a fine ash, very similar to the results of cremations performed in the United States.
D. Caskets and Containers
Caskets and containers are available locally. Caskets can be hermetically sealed in the case of a death from a communicable disease.
E. Exportation of Remains
Local funeral homes obtain original copies of the following documents in order to export a body: Mexican death certificate, permit from the health department, embalming permit. These original documents must be presented by the person traveling with the remains at the port of entry into the United States.
F. Costs
All costs have been converted from pesos to dollars at an exchange rate of 11 pesos per $1 USD. The actual exchange rate will be the prevailing rate at the time expenses are incurred.
(1) Burial. The lowest cost of burial in Baja California is $530 for interment in a local cemetery using a wooden casket. Costs for local burials in the Baja California Sur area range from $850 to $1,000.
(2) Embalming. The cost of embalming in Baja California: $150 to $450. In Baja California Sur the cost of embalming fluctuates between $250 and $400.
(3) Preparation for shipment. The average cost of permits required to ship the remains is $90 to $100.
(4) Shipping. Remains may be transported to the United States by land at one of several international border crossings or by air from airports in both Baja California and Baja California Sur. The cost is similar to that of commercial passenger fare. If the remains are in the Baja California Sur area, they can be shipped from the San Jose Del Cabo International Airport or La Paz Airport. In Baja California, they may be shipped from the Tijuana International Airport, although most families opt to cross the remains by land to San Diego and fly them home from the San Diego International Airport, which generally costs less. There are no restrictions on placing cremated remains with checked baggage (as long as the death certificate and other documentation is on hand).
(5) Caskets. The cost of caskets available locally ranges from $285 to $2,725.
(6) Cremation. The cost of local cremation, including permits, death certificate and a temporary container, averages $1,000.
G. Exhumation
Generally, exhumation is not permitted until five years after initial interment. However, if next of kin had not been aware of the decedent’s death and burial in Mexico, the remains may be exhumed at any time. The cost of a permit for exhumation is about $115 plus labor costs. Exhumation labor costs have no fixed price, since they depend upon the amount of work and time required for exhumation.
H. Autopsies
An autopsy is routinely performed unless the individual died in a hospital or was, at the time of death, being attended to by a physician.