How long does it take for a body to be picked up from a New York morgue and transferred to Maryland?

Answer 1

It depends on whether the transport is being sorted by a local Funeral Director or as a State Medical Examiners office process.

If you've already consulted with a Funeral Director, they should easily be able to provide estimated arrival details. New York to Maryland, in many instances 'may' be facilitated by a national or regional bus service. Alternatively, it may be more convenient to use Amtrak.

Some Funeral Directors now utilise a funerary transport service that moves bodies collectively, using a 'date range' that can require up to a fortnight (two weeks) for the deceased to be delivered. Think of it as a Fedex type service that has no set guarantee date or time for delivery.

If you've dealt directly with the Medical Examiner's office already, in the first instance, I'd suggest you contact them, rather than engaging an out of state funeral director. It may save considerable. You may also speak with a local Funeral Director in your community to determine what they would charge to collect the body.

Keep in mind that the Funeral Industry is a FOR PROFIT business. Their only opportunity to sell to you is when you are at your most vulnerable. As out of state transport is considered an 'ancillary' service, you may find prices varying widely. Additionally, there could be substantial savings in using a mortuary van owned by the funeral director, rather than an expensive hearse. There have been documented occasions where the bereaved were sold the image that their loved one would be collected by a hearse, plus the thought that a 'transport' coffin would be required 'by law,' thus raising the cost to outrageous heights.

Check your local requirements as well as the requirements of the originating state and any transit states, such as New Jersey and/or Delaware. However, the local M.E.'s office may already have these details.