There are many reasons why a family may want to transport the body themselves. My oldest sister passed unexpectedly of a Berry Aneurysm. She was 43.

She was in a very disfunctional relationship. She had no money nor life insurance. Her husband would not pay for the funeral home to have her body transported back to her hometown, where she requested to be buried by her infant son. The funeral home would do it for a charge of $1500. My sisters and I did go get her and transport her body back home.
But, there are laws regulating when they can do it. I do know to transport across state lines, the body needs to be embalmed. You also need a transit permit from the sending funeral home to the receiving funeral home.
The following members say Thank You: