Who Pays for Bringing a Body Home
Who can cover the cost of bringing the deceased home from abroad and which benefits can help the family.
Insurance
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, if the deceased was insured, the insurer bears the cost of bringing the body home. Without insurance, the family pays, or anyone who undertakes to do so. It is worth checking travel policies, policies linked to a payment card and insurance from an employer.
Funeral allowance
The funeral allowance from ZUS or KRUS is PLN 7,000 if the death occurred on or after 1 January 2026 (Act of 9 May 2025, Dz.U. 2025 item 718); for earlier deaths the amount was PLN 4,000. The amount is indexed under Article 80 of that Act, so check the current figure with ZUS or KRUS before applying. A person outside the family who paid the funeral costs receives a refund of the documented costs up to that amount. The application must be submitted within 12 months of the date of death.
Whether and how a death abroad affects the right to the allowance is decided by ZUS or KRUS in the specific case.
Special-purpose social assistance benefit
If the funeral allowance is not due, or the costs are extraordinary and cannot be covered from the allowance, the social assistance centre may grant a special-purpose benefit for the documented funeral costs (Article 40 of the Act on Social Assistance). It is granted regardless of income, but in some situations it is subject to repayment.
What the consulate does not cover
The Polish consul helps with formalities, but does not provide the services of transport companies or insurers and does not cover the cost of transporting a body.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the funeral allowance in 2026?
PLN 7,000 for a death on or after 1 January 2026, according to the Act of 9 May 2025 (Dz.U. 2025 item 718) and KRUS information.
What is the deadline for applying for the funeral allowance?
Within 12 months of the date of death. If that was not possible for reasons beyond the applicant's control, the period runs from the date of the funeral.