Source: Hřbitovy a pohřební služby hl. m. Prahy: Ceník od 1. 1. 2025, 2025
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- Cremation is governed by the Act on Funeral Services (zákon č. 256/2001 Sb., o pohřebnictví). A crematorium accepts a body only when death is confirmed by an official document, most often a death certificate (úmrtní list).
- If the deceased left no instructions, the spouse decides first, followed by children, parents, and siblings (§ 114 of the Civil Code).
- In Prague, cremation in a coffin costs 3 095 Kč, and a direct cremation package without a ceremony costs 14 414 Kč (price list effective January 1, 2025).
- No apostille is needed on Czech documents for use in Ukraine thanks to the bilateral legal assistance treaty.
- Transporting an urn with ashes to Ukraine costs from 800 €, with no prepayment.
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First, the wishes of the deceased are considered. If they did not leave instructions on what to do with their body, the spouse decides. If there is no spouse, the decision passes to the children, then parents, then siblings, then their children, and finally any close person (§ 114 občanský zákoník).
The funeral is arranged by the "person arranging the funeral" (vypravitel pohřbu). This is the person to whom the crematorium issues the cremation certificate and releases the urn. By law, the person arranging the funeral is whoever makes the funeral arrangements within 96 hours of being notified of the death.
Citizenship does not matter here: Ukrainians are cremated under the same conditions. If the family is in Ukraine, you usually do not need to travel in person. You sign a power of attorney, and we make the arrangements with the funeral home (pohřební služba) and the crematorium.
Permits and Documents for Cremation in Czechia
- Death certificate (úmrtní list) or a laissez-passer for a corpse (průvodní list, "umrlčí pas"). Without one of these, the crematorium will not accept the body (§ 14).
- If a crime is suspected, written consent from a public prosecutor (státní zástupce) or another criminal justice authority is also required.
- ID of the person arranging the funeral and a contract with the funeral home. The crematorium sets the exact list of required documents in its operating rules (provozní řád).
The law does not require a separate permit for the cremation itself from the municipal office or public health authority. The death certificate is issued by the registry office (matriční úřad) at the place of death.
How Long It Takes to Arrange Cremation
The law sets no minimum waiting period between death and cremation. It requires the body to be kept in refrigerated storage if cremation does not take place within 48 hours after the crematorium accepts the body.
In practice, the timeline depends on three things: when the death certificate is issued, how quickly the family decides on the person arranging the funeral and provides a power of attorney, and the crematorium's schedule. Weekends and public holidays also add days. We can give you an exact date after speaking with the crematorium.
An important point for families living abroad: after cremation, the crematorium invites the arranger to collect the urn. If the urn is not collected within 12 months, the crematorium is legally required to place the ashes in a communal grave at a cemetery.
How Much Cremation Costs in Czechia
Each crematorium sets its own prices. Example: Hřbitovy a pohřební služby hl. m. Prahy (Prague's municipal cemetery and funeral service), price list from January 1, 2025, including VAT:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Cremation of a body in a coffin (Zpopelnění zesnulého v rakvi) | 3 095 Kč |
| IGNIS package: direct cremation without a ceremony, including coffin, urn, and transport within Prague | 14 414 Kč |
| Refrigerated body storage, per day | 1 232 Kč |
| Temporary urn storage at the crematorium, starting from the third month, per month | 243 Kč |
| Dispatch of the urn from the crematorium (excluding shipping cost) | 487 Kč |
Source: Hřbitovy a pohřební služby hl. m. Prahy: Ceník od 1. 1. 2025, 2025
Other cities have their own rates. If we arrange the cremation through our local partners, we calculate the cremation cost based on your specific situation. If the urn is already ready, we simply collect it.
Transporting an urn with ashes to Ukraine costs from 800 €. We work without prepayment: you pay under the contract after the urn is handed over. Service details are on the urn transport page.
Choosing an Urn for Transport
The law requires the crematorium to place the ashes in a tightly sealed urn marked with the cremation record number (číslo záznamu o zpopelnění). This number is also on the cremation certificate, making the urn easy to identify at the border.
For transport, a durable metal or plastic urn is best, avoiding glass or ceramics. When flying, the urn is usually taken in carry-on luggage by prior arrangement with the airline. At security, it must pass through an X-ray scanner, so heavy, opaque materials can sometimes cause issues. Every airline sets its own rules, so check in advance.
How to Bring an Urn with Ashes from Czechia to Ukraine
The Czech Act on Funeral Services does not require a separate export permit for an urn. The laissez-passer from the regional public health authority (krajská hygienická stanice) applies to a body, not to ashes.
Documents that must accompany the urn:
- death certificate (úmrtní list);
- cremation certificate (potvrzení o zpopelnění) from the crematorium;
- Ukrainian translation.
No apostille is needed: the bilateral treaty on legal assistance between Czechia and Ukraine exempts official documents from additional legalization. Before departure, we verify the document package with the Embassy of Ukraine in Czechia. The general list is available on the documents page.
The urn can be transported by plane or by road. By road, the urn remains under supervision the entire time and does not depend on airline policies. Read more about crossing the border in our article on customs clearance for an urn.
Can You Transport the Urn Yourself
Yes, a relative can collect the urn and bring it back personally. The crematorium releases the urn to the person who arranged the funeral or to the funeral home, so if someone else was named as the arranger, you will need a power of attorney from them.
Common issues include: missing translations, names spelled differently in the documents than in the relative's passport, or the airline refusing to allow the urn in the cabin. If you are short on time or cannot travel, it is safer to entrust this to us.
Cremation vs. Body Transport: Which to Choose
| Urn with ashes | Body in a coffin | |
|---|---|---|
| Documents | death certificate, cremation certificate, translation | death certificate, laissez-passer for a corpse, translations |
| Transport | passenger car or plane | specialized hearse, hermetically sealed coffin |
| Timeline | a few days after cremation | depends on paperwork and transport |
| Price | from 800 € | see the country page |
If the family prefers a traditional burial, read about body transport from Czechia.
Burying the Urn in Ukraine
An urn can be buried in a separate grave, placed in a columbarium niche, or buried in an existing family grave. This requires permission from the cemetery administration and the documents we bring with the urn. Read more in our article on urn burial.
Timeline: From the First Call to Urn Burial
| Stage | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Consultation, power of attorney, arrangements with the funeral home | 1–3 days |
| Death certificate | a few days |
| Cremation | from a few days to a week or more |
| Cremation certificate, translation | 1–5 days |
| Urn transport to Ukraine | 1–3 days |
| Urn burial | as agreed with the cemetery |
Timelines depend on local authorities and the crematorium's schedule, which are beyond our control.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Ukrainian citizen be cremated in Czechia?
Yes. The law makes no distinction based on citizenship. A death certificate and a person arranging the funeral are required.
Who decides on cremation if there is no will?
The spouse, followed by children, parents, and siblings under § 114 of the Czech Civil Code.
How much does cremation cost in Czechia?
In Prague, cremation in a coffin costs 3 095 Kč, and a package without a ceremony costs 14 414 Kč under the price list effective January 1, 2025. Urn transport to Ukraine starts from 800 €. Source: Hřbitovy a pohřební služby hl. m. Prahy: Ceník od 1. 1. 2025, 2025
Is a permit required to take an urn out of Czechia?
The Act on Funeral Services does not require a separate export permit. You need the death certificate, the cremation certificate, and a translation.
Is an apostille required?
No. The bilateral legal assistance treaty between Czechia and Ukraine exempts documents from an apostille.
What happens if the urn is not collected for a long time?
The crematorium stores it for a fee, and after 12 months it is legally required to bury the ashes in a communal grave.
What to Do Now
- Gather what you have: the death certificate or medical certificate of death, and the name of the hospital or funeral home.
- Decide within the family who will act as the person arranging the funeral, and prepare a power of attorney.
- Decide where you will bury the urn in Ukraine.
- Call us. We will arrange the cremation through our partners or collect the ready urn and bring it home.
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