How Long Are Mexican Funerals?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Quite the opposite of Jewish protocol for caring for the dead, Mexican tradition encourages mourners to spend time with the corpse before burial. Rather than rushing to bury the body, most families spend

up to 48 hours

with their deceased loved one.

How long is a Velorio?

Usually, it starts later in the day, lasting

longer than four hours

and sometimes even late into the night or overnight.

What do you do when someone dies in Mexico?

In Mexico, after a death,

a vigil is held with family and friends for

24-48 hours. They will eat and drink together, and guests will pray and bring the family gifts. The deceased will be buried with their clothing and important possessions. Children will be included from a young age.

What do you send to a Mexican funeral?

A personalized candle, like this candle set, makes a simple but thoughtful gift for a Mexican funeral. Depending on the family’s preferences, donations to the family’s church may also be appreciated. You can also bring flowers to the wake or send them to the funeral location.

How much does it cost to bring a dead body home from Mexico?

“In moving bodies, for example, we have seen costs ranging

from $2,000 to $5,000

, while in cremations the cost varies from $1,000 to $1,200,” Cordoba said. The Protection Department of the Mexican Consulate in Phoenix can also grant financial support for the transfer of remains to Mexico, for those who qualify.

How do you bring a dead body from Mexico?

The person who wishes to repatriate the remains of a relative to Mexico must

contact the Mexican consulate corresponding

to the place where the person died in the United States. If the request is made from Mexico, the family must go to their local office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Why are funerals so soon after death?

Historically, funerals had to take place after just a matter of days,

because of decomposition

. With today’s preservation methods, families have a bit more time to prepare and get affairs in order. This helps families make arrangements, and to pick a day to hold the funeral.

What flower symbolizes death of a loved one?


Chrysanthemum

: In America, this gorgeous flower has many meanings, but it is often used as an expression of support or an encouragement to “get well soon.” In many countries in Europe, the chrysanthemum is placed on graves and viewed as a symbol of death.

Why do Mexicans cover mirrors when someone dies?

This was to

prevent the deceased’s spirit from being trapped

. Like the cultures mentioned above, some people thought that looking into a mirror could lead to their death.

How much does it cost to bring a body from Mexico?

Airlines fees can vary significantly, but to ship a body can often cost more than a flight ticket, and you can expect a fee of

between $800 – $1,200

! So, your total costs for getting the body back to the US could amount to $5,000 – $6,000 USD.

How much does it cost to fly a dead body home?

The fee for forwarding remains to another funeral home usually ranges from

$1000.00 to $3000.00

. The fee for receiving remains from another funeral home usually ranges from $800.00 to $2500.00.

Can you transport a dead body yourself?

In California, the permit is called a

“Permit for Disposition”

or “Burial Permit.” The cost is about $12. You can request the disposition permit from the registrar’s office at the time you file the death certificate. After you have the permit, you may transport the body yourself.

Can you cross ashes from Mexico to us?

Cremated remains (ashes)—The residual matter after human remains are completely reduced to ash by intense heat. For the purposes of this SOP, cremated remains are considered to be noninfectious and may enter the United States without a death certificate or other documentation, regardless of the cause of death.

Can you fly a dead body to another state?


You can’t arrange

air transportation for a dead body on your own. Most airlines will transport dead bodies but you’ll have to work with a funeral director or a specialized transport company. The shipper must be designated as a “known shipper” by the TSA. Many funeral homes are approved as known shippers.

What do funeral homes do with the blood from dead bodies?

The blood and bodily fluids just drain down the table, into the sink, and down the drain. This goes into the sewer, like every other sink and toilet, and (usually) goes to a

water treatment plant

. … Now any items that are soiled with blood—those cannot be thrown away in the regular trash.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.