What to Do When a Loved One Passes in the U.S. but Needs to Be Buried in Mexico

Michelle Morales
Oct 20
2 min read

Updated: Oct 21

(Qué hacer cuando un ser querido fallece en EE. UU. y necesita ser sepultado en México)

Losing someone you love is never easy. When that loss happens far from home, the emotional weight is often matched by confusing paperwork and unfamiliar requirements. Many families in Arizona choose to return their loved ones to Mexico for burial — an act of love, tradition, and connection to their roots.

At SignNest Identity Solutions, we assist families with the document preparation required on the U.S. side so you can focus on what matters most.

Step 1: Obtain the U.S. Death Certificate

Before any international arrangements can be made, you’ll need a certified death certificate issued by the county or state where your loved one passed.In Arizona, this is handled by the Office of Vital Records. For Maricopa County, certificates can often be picked up in person or by a verified representative.

If the document will be used in Mexico, it must then be:

Apostilled by the Arizona Secretary of State, and
Translated into Spanish by a certified translator

These two steps make the document legally valid in Mexico and ready for consular review.

Step 2: Prepare Documents for the Mexican Consulate

The Mexican Consulate in Phoenix assists with the authorization of remains returning to Mexico (known as repatriation). Families or their representatives must usually present:

The apostilled and translated death certificate
Proof of the deceased’s Mexican nationality (such as a birth certificate or passport)
Valid identification for the family member authorizing the process
Any power of attorney, if another person is acting on the family’s behalf

At SignNest, we help ensure these documents are complete, notarized if needed, and ready for submission to the consulate — saving families time and avoiding costly delays.

Step 3: Coordinate with a Local Arizona Funeral Home

The funeral home plays a key role in preparing the remains and meeting airline or transportation requirements.While SignNest does not arrange funeral or transport logistics, we work alongside licensed Arizona funeral homes to ensure all paperwork is accurate and consistent with consular requirements.

If the family already has a funeral home in Mexico, we can confirm which U.S. documents they require and help deliver the finalized, apostilled, and translated versions.

Step 4: Keep Certified Copies for Legal Use

After the repatriation is complete, families often need certified copies of the apostilled and translated death certificate for other purposes such as:

Closing U.S. bank or insurance accounts
Managing property or estate matters
Submitting records to government offices in Mexico

We recommend keeping both physical and digital copies for future needs.

How SignNest Can Help

At SignNest Identity Solutions, we handle every detail of the documentation process with care — from notarizations and apostilles to certified translations and consular coordination. Our bilingual team ensures each step is handled clearly, efficiently, and with compassion.