When settling an estate, sending things cross-country after death can be challenging. There are a number of ways that these items can be safely transported after someone has passed away.

Determining what needs to be shipped is the first step; then consider the item’s value. Things that affect the cost of a shipment are the size and weight.

A couch inherited from a loved one, even though cherished, may not be worth paying money to ship. On the other hand, heirloom furnishings or designer pieces may be well worth the expense.

Once these details are known, personal representatives can go about determining which items will be most affordable, depending on the type of item, the method of shipping, and the shipment destination.

Large items, such as a roll top desk, can be difficult to ship without professional help and may be a candidate for Less Than a Truckload (LTL) shipping. Things that are difficult to move without specialized equipment may restrict the shipping options to a train, bus, plane, or large shipping companies and trucks.

When it comes to cross-country shipping, cheap should never be the first thought. There are shipping companies that can be relied upon to ship a loved ones items in a cost-effective manner and it’s just as important to have them delivered on time and in one piece.

In the case of a large amount of big and heavy items, a common consideration is renting a truck and driving
it to the destination. When determining the “cost” of this method, the dollar amount to rent that truck isn’t the only factor. It’s also important to consider time away from work, lodging, gas and food expenses. All those things will add up as they may look to you for advice or resources.