Articles for families on bringing a body home
Here we explain in plain words what families ask about most in the first days: money, documents, the consulate, insurance, an urn with ashes and the funeral at home. If you need an answer now, do not spend time reading. Call us. We will tell you what to do and give you the price within 5 minutes.
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Oleg Zdendiak, ownerpersonally responsible for every case
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Translated from Ukrainian “You were always available, whatever the time…” — Віта Х. “Everything was organised with great dignity, professionally and with attention to every detail.” — Тамара Ю. “Every question was resolved promptly, with respect and attention to detail.” — Olha B. “…your support, compassion, sense of responsibility and professionalism meant a great deal to us.” — Ірина Б. “It all went quickly and professionally…” — Оля К. If someone died in a particular country
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Death in the USA: Bringing the Body or the Ashes Home to Ukraine A loved one died in the US? Body repatriation to Ukraine from €7,100 or cremation and urn from €2,500. Cremation costs, state paperwork, timing, who pays. -
The Coroner in the UK: Timings and Costs of Repatriation Someone died in England or Scotland? Why the coroner must be told, how long Form 103 takes, how to register a death. Repatriation to Ukraine from €3,300.
Where to start
If a loved one has only just died, start with What to do: it gives the first steps in order. Short answers to common questions are on the Questions and answers page, prices “from” are on the Prices page, and the documents for each country are on the Countries page.
If your question is not answered here, call us. We answer the phone 24/7 and speak Ukrainian, English, Polish and German.
Money: the price, payment, insurance
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How much it costs to bring a body home to Ukraine from abroad Prices “from” by country, what the total is made of, what is included and what is not, and how to get the exact price. -
Who pays for bringing a body home from abroad The family, insurance, an employer, social services and the funeral allowance in Ukraine: what to check before you pay yourselves. -
Insurance and bringing a body home How to find the policy, how the insurer's assistance service works, why the transport must be agreed with the insurer and what a policy usually does not cover. -
Death of a Ukrainian in China: Who Pays for Repatriation Who pays to bring a body from China: insurance, employer, university, or family. Chinese law rules. The price is fixed in the contract, no prepayment. -
A Ukrainian died in Vietnam: who pays for transport Who pays to bring a body from Vietnam to Ukraine: travel insurance, employer, Vietnam social insurance, or family. The price is fixed in the contract.
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Documents and preparation
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The Ukrainian consulate when someone dies abroad What the consul does for the family and what the consul does not do. Registering the death, the certificate, the papers for the border. - Death certificate abroad Who issues the document in the country of death, when an apostille and a translation are needed and how Ukraine recognises it.
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Coffin and embalming for bringing a body to Ukraine Which coffin is needed to cross the border and when embalming cannot be avoided. - Death of a Ukrainian in China: Documents and the Consulate in the First Days First days after a Ukrainian dies in China: death certificate, police, Ukrainian consulate, apostille, power of attorney. Repatriation under a contract.
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A Ukrainian Died in Vietnam: Documents and Embassy in the First Days First days after a Ukrainian dies in Vietnam: death notice, Embassy of Ukraine in Hanoi, apostille, morgue time limits. Repatriation home under contract.
All the papers in one place: Documents for bringing the deceased home.
An urn with ashes
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Customs clearance of an urn with ashes The customs statement, the two documents, flying and posting. -
Burying an urn with ashes in Ukraine A family grave, a columbarium niche or a new grave. - Cremation in Latvia and Taking the Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Latvia for Ukrainians: crematorium application, death certificate, ash capsule, 45-day storage, taking ashes abroad.
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Cremation in Finland and Taking the Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Finland for Ukrainians: burial permit, who decides, release of ashes, Turku price 350–440 €, taking ashes abroad. - Cremation in Estonia and Taking the Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Estonia for Ukrainians: crematorium contract, death certificate, Tallinn price 412 €, taking ashes abroad.
- Cremation in Lithuania and Taking the Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Lithuania for Ukrainians: who applies, kinship documents, price from 310 €, ash capsule, taking ashes abroad.
- Cremation in Norway and Taking the Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Norway for Ukrainians: who decides, 10 working day deadline, free for Oslo residents, taking ashes abroad.
- Cremation in Liechtenstein and Taking the Ashes Home to Ukraine Cremation in Liechtenstein for Ukrainians: Swiss crematorium, who decides, documents, timeline, urn, and taking ashes to Ukraine.
- Cremation in Belgium and Taking the Ashes Home to Ukraine Cremation in Belgium for Ukrainians: civil registrar permit, sworn doctor, Flanders & Wallonia, costs, urn, taking ashes to Ukraine.
- Cremation in Luxembourg and Taking the Ashes Home to Ukraine Cremation in Luxembourg for Ukrainians: civil registry permit, 24–72 hours, Hamm crematorium, urn and documents to bring ashes to Ukraine.
- Cremation in Austria and Taking the Ashes Home to Ukraine Cremation in Austria for Ukrainians: who gives consent, documents in Vienna and Upper Austria, timelines, urn, ash export.
- Cremation in Switzerland and Taking the Ashes Home to Ukraine Cremation in Switzerland for Ukrainians: who decides, documents in Basel and Lucerne, 48 hours, prices, urn, taking ashes abroad.
- Cremation in Bulgaria and Urn Transport to Ukraine Cremation in Bulgaria for Ukrainians: doctor's permit, timeframe 24 hours to 8 days, RZI export permit for €10.23, apostille.
- Cremation in Czechia and Urn Transport to Ukraine Cremation in Czechia for Ukrainians: who decides, documents, Prague crematorium prices, urn, export without apostille.
- Cremation in Hungary and Transporting an Urn with Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Hungary for a Ukrainian citizen: consular permit, who decides, 15-day limit, releasing the urn to family, documents.
- Cremation in Romania and transporting an urn with ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Romania for Ukrainians: consular consent, who applies, Bucharest crematorium documents, free apostille.
- Cremation in Slovakia and Transporting an Urn with Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Slovakia for Ukrainians: who orders it, documents, Bratislava crematorium prices, power of attorney, apostille.
- Cremation in Slovenia and Taking Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Slovenia for Ukrainians: who decides, 36-hour rule, doctor's check, urn released abroad only to a funeral service.
- Cremation in the Netherlands and Transporting an Urn with Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in the Netherlands for Ukrainians: 36 hours to 6 working days, permit, one month before urn release, 2026 prices.
- Cremation in Malta Cremation in Malta for Ukrainians: the law exists, but there is no crematorium yet.
- Cremation in Greece and Taking Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Greece for Ukrainians: who gives consent, forensic examiner certificate, two crematoria, urn and border documents.
- Cremation in Moldova Cremation in Moldova: no working crematorium, no law yet.
- Cremation in Portugal and Transporting an Urn with Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Portugal for Ukrainians: who may apply, 24 and 72 hour limits, documents, ashes released to family, apostille.
- Cremation in Croatia and Taking Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Croatia for Ukrainians: Zagreb and Osijek crematoria, documents, official prices, urn and border rules.
- Cremation in Ireland and Transporting an Urn with Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Ireland for Ukrainians: who signs, crematorium forms, coroner, 2026 Dublin prices, documents for the urn.
- Cremation in Canada and Transporting an Urn with Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Canada for Ukrainians: Ontario and BC rules, consent, coroner's certificate, prices, flying with ashes (CATSA).
- Cremation in Montenegro Cremation in Montenegro for Ukrainians: no crematorium in the country, cremation is done in Serbia.
- Cremation in the UK and Taking Ashes Abroad to Ukraine Taking ashes abroad from the UK to Ukraine: who applies for cremation, council fees, carrying ashes on a plane, documents.
- Cremation in the UAE Cremation in the UAE for Ukrainians: eligibility, police and municipality permits, crematoriums, documents for taking an urn home.
- Cremation in Azerbaijan Cremation in Azerbaijan for Ukrainians: there are no crematoriums.
- Cremation in Israel and Taking the Ashes to Ukraine Cremation in Israel for Ukrainians: who decides, who performs it, cost, documents for taking ashes abroad.
- Cremation in Turkey Cremation in Turkey for Ukrainians: why it is unavailable, how to transport a body to Ukraine for cremation at home, documents.
- Cremation in Egypt Cremation in Egypt for Ukrainians: there are no official crematoria.
- Cremation in Georgia Cremation in Georgia for Ukrainians: there is no crematorium.
- Cremation in China and Urn Transport to Ukraine How a Ukrainian is cremated in China: who applies, documents, urn, and Ukrainian border rules. We arrange cremation only with urn transport to Ukraine.
- Cremation in Vietnam and Urn Transport to Ukraine Cremation in Vietnam for Ukrainian citizens: timelines, documents, urn rules, border quarantine, and bringing ashes to Ukraine.
Is the urn still abroad? How we bring it home is on the page Transport of an urn with ashes.
At home, in Ukraine
- How to arrange a funeral The order of steps and what to prepare while the body is on its way.
- How to move the deceased to another city in Ukraine From a hospital or morgue to the family home, a church or the cemetery.
- Documents after a death abroad: what to arrange in Ukraine The certificate, the funeral allowance and inheritance.
From Ukraine to another country
- Exhumation in Bulgaria and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Bulgaria and transfer to Ukraine: 8-year waiting period, RZI export permit in 24 hours, coffin, apostille.
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Exhumation in Czechia and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Czechia and transfer to Ukraine: decomposition period, hygiene station consent, who applies, Prague prices. - Exhumation in Belgium and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Belgium and transport to Ukraine: mayor's permit, waiting periods in Wallonia and Flanders, season, apostille, fees.
- Exhumation in Austria and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Austria and transfer to Ukraine: permits in Vienna and Lower Austria, waiting periods, coffin, Leichenpass.
- Exhumation in Azerbaijan and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Azerbaijan and repatriation to Ukraine: cemetery management, 2018 rules, apostille, coffin, timelines.
- Exhumation in Finland and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Finland: Lupa- ja valvontavirasto permit, "especially weighty reasons", health permit, documents.
- Exhumation in Greece and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Greece: mandatory exhumation after 3 years, transporting bones to Ukraine, health authority permit.
- Exhumation in Estonia and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Estonia: agreement with the cemetery administrator, 1 and 3-year waiting periods, coffin for export.
- Exhumation in Montenegro and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Montenegro: sanitary inspection permit, grave owner's consent, documents for transfer to Ukraine.
- Exhumation in Georgia and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Georgia: cemetery operator consent, 40-day and 1-year rules in Tbilisi, sanitary conclusion, documents.
- Exhumation in Liechtenstein and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Liechtenstein: who grants the permit, 25-year resting period, documents for transfer to Ukraine.
- Exhumation in Malta and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Malta: 2 years after burial, Burials Regulatory Unit permit, sealed zinc coffin, €64 fee.
- Exhumation in Luxembourg and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Luxembourg: commune permit, medical inspector, cross-border transport permit, fees.
- Exhumation in Moldova and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Moldova: who approves it, the November to March season, presence of relatives, mortuary passport.
- Exhumation in Lithuania and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Lithuania: NVSC permit, who can apply, grave holder's consent, documents for transport to Ukraine.
- Exhumation in Latvia and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Latvia: new 2026 Law on Cemeteries, 1-year waiting period, Veselības inspekcija export permit, Riga fees.
- Exhumation in Croatia and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Croatia: who applies, sanitary inspector's sprovodnica, the 10-year rule and summer ban, cemetery fees.
- Exhumation in Israel and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Israel: Ministry of Health doctor's permit, 1-year waiting period, lead-lined coffin, documents.
- Exhumation in Ireland and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Ireland: exhumation licence from the council, family consents, HSE supervision, fees from €113 to €2,500.
- Exhumation in Canada and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Canada: Ontario and Quebec rules, interment rights holder consent, court and DNSP, documents.
- Exhumation in Slovenia and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation (prekop) in Slovenia: municipality permit, grave lessee consent, doctor, posmrtni potni list.
- Exhumation in Hungary and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Hungary: district office permit, 1, 5, and 15-year rules, metal coffin, cemetery fees.
- Exhumation in Turkey and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Turkey: municipality permit, medical report, export coffin, documents.
- Exhumation in Egypt and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Egypt and moving remains to Ukraine: first steps, the cemetery, legalisation without apostille, timelines.
- Exhumation in Slovakia and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Slovakia: who applies, the 10-year resting period, cemetery prices, pas pre mŕtvolu.
- Exhumation in the Netherlands and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in the Netherlands: mayor's permit, grave owner's consent, coffin, laissez-passer, transport to Ukraine.
- Exhumation in Romania and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Romania: the 7-year rule, DSP permit, November–March season, mortuary passport.
- Exhumation in Portugal and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Portugal: 3-year period, application to câmara or junta, bones or body, metal box, apostille.
- Exhumation in Switzerland and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Switzerland: cantonal rules, 20-year rest period, municipal or doctor's permit, Leichenpass, urns.
- Exhumation in Norway and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in Norway: gravplassmyndighet permit, "strong reasons", municipal doctor, police, coffin, urn.
- Exhumation in the USA and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in the USA and transfer to Ukraine: disinterment permit, consents, papers.
- Exhumation in the UK and Reburial in Ukraine Exhumation in the UK for reburial in Ukraine: MoJ licence, Church of England faculty, coroner notice, costs.
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When a foreign national dies in Ukraine: documents, the consul and bringing them home What the embassy does, who registers the death and how to bring the deceased home.
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