Repatriation FAQ
Answers to the questions families ask us most often.
Where do we start if someone has died abroad?
Contact us by phone, messenger or the form. Tell us the country and city, and whether you plan to bring home the body or the ashes. We will explain the next steps.
How much does repatriation to Moldova cost?
The price depends on the country, the city, the documents and the type of transport. We will quote the price once we know the details.
How long does repatriation take?
We confirm the timeline once we have the documents. It depends on the authorities in the country of death, the Moldovan consulate where it is involved, and the transport available.
Which documents are needed?
Usually the death certificate, the passport of the deceased, the certificates of the funeral service and, for a body, a mortuary passport. The exact list depends on the country, and we confirm it for your case.
What is a mortuary passport (laissez-passer)?
It is the document that accompanies the body on the journey. It is issued by an embassy or consulate of the Republic of Moldova, or by the local authority in a country that is party to the Strasbourg Agreement (1973).
What does the Strasbourg Agreement change?
It is the European agreement of 1973 on the transfer of corpses; for Moldova it has applied since 14.03.2003. Between its parties, the body travels with a laissez-passer, and the country of destination may not ask for other documents beyond it and the usual transport documents.
Which countries are parties to the Strasbourg Agreement?
Of the countries on this site: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey, as well as the Republic of Moldova. Italy, Germany, Romania, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Poland, Israel, the United States and Canada are not.
Can we bring home the ashes instead of the body?
Yes. Ashes are not covered by the Strasbourg Agreement, and each country has its own rules for them. The requirements for ashes differ from those for a body, and we confirm them for your country.
Is there a crematorium in Moldova?
According to media reports from early 2026, there is no crematorium in Moldova, so cremation takes place abroad, usually in the country of death.
How is the death registered in Moldova?
The death is first registered in the country where it occurred. The certificate can then be transcribed at a Moldovan embassy or consulate, or a Moldovan certificate is issued in Moldova on the basis of the legalised foreign one. According to the Public Services Agency (ASP, 2024), the transcription must be declared within 6 months of returning to Moldova or receiving the document.
Do the documents need an apostille?
Often, yes. Moldova has applied the Hague Apostille Convention since 16.03.2007, and foreign documents are usually confirmed with an apostille. Documents from Romania are valid without legalisation under a bilateral treaty.
Into which language are the documents translated?
Into Romanian, the state language of Moldova. We tell you which documents need a translation.
Does the coffin travel by air or by road?
Both are possible, depending on the country and the route. The mode of transport (air or road) and the handover point are agreed with the family case by case.
The deceased also held Romanian or Italian citizenship. Does that matter?
It can. Many families from Moldova hold more than one citizenship, and the documents then depend on which passport the person had. We check this for your case.
Do we need to travel to the country where the person died?
Not always. Many steps can be done remotely, sometimes with a power of attorney. We tell you which documents need your signature.
What if the death was sudden or unexplained?
In such cases, the authorities in the country of death may need to give additional permission before the body is released, for example a coroner or a prosecutor. This can affect the timeline, and we keep you informed.
Can you arrange the funeral in Moldova?
Yes, if you wish, we also arrange the funeral. You can also choose only the repatriation and arrange the funeral yourselves.
Should I mention the cause of death in the request form?
No. Please do not include the cause of death or any medical details in the form. We do not need them at the first contact.