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In brief in 30 seconds.
- The Cremation Act (Cap. 599) came into force on 25 October 2024. However, cremation is only permitted in a licensed crematorium, and there is none in Malta yet.
- Maltese families send bodies for cremation mainly to Sicily or the United Kingdom.
- For a Ukrainian family, it is often simpler to transport the body to Ukraine and hold the cremation at home.
- Taking a body out of Malta is controlled by Port Health Services.
- Transporting an urn with ashes to Ukraine costs from 800 €, with no prepayment.
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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. Is cremation possible in Malta
Legally, yes. The Cremation Act of 2019 (Act XVII of 2019, Cap. 599) came into force on 25 October 2024 (Legal Notice 280 of 2024). It defines who can apply for cremation: a spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant; in their absence, parents or children; and next, another relative who lived with the deceased (Article 20). The application must include a medical certificate of the cause of death and a permit under Article 141 of the Code of Police Laws.
Practically, no. Article 18 allows cremation only in a crematorium licensed by the Superintendent of Public Health. According to The Shift (September 2026), there is still no operating crematorium in Malta. The crematorium project in Tal-Ħorr, Paola has received only preliminary approval, with full permits and construction still ahead.
What families do instead of local cremation
Cremation in Italy
Maltese funeral directors send bodies abroad for cremation, mainly to Sicily or the United Kingdom. There is no official tariff for this option, so we confirm the cost on request. We can arrange cremation in Italy through our partners. The urn then leaves Italy under Italian rules, and we prepare the Italian paperwork.
Transporting the body to Ukraine and cremation at home
For a Ukrainian family, this is often simpler. There is one border route, the farewell takes place at home, and the cremation is carried out by a Ukrainian crematorium. We described how the transport works on the page body transport from Malta.
Which to choose
If the family wants a farewell ceremony at home, it is better to transport the body. If only the urn is needed and the family is far away, cremation can be done in Italy. We calculate the price of both options based on your situation.
If you already have the urn
Sometimes the person has already been cremated in Italy or another country, and the urn is now in Malta or still at the crematorium. In that case, we collect the urn and bring it to Ukraine.
Maltese law allows keeping the urn at home, placing it in a columbarium, burying it in a grave, or scattering the ashes in designated areas (Articles 28 and 29). An urn with ashes cannot be the subject of a sale (Article 27). If the urn is transported through Malta, the rules for taking ashes off the island are controlled by Port Health Services, and we confirm the details with them.
Once the urn is in Ukraine, the next step is burial in a grave, placement in a columbarium, or interment in an existing family grave. Read the article urn burial.
Documents
To transport a body out of Malta, you usually need:
- a death certificate, an identity certificate and an embalming certificate;
- a burial or transit permit from the Burials Regulatory Unit, or a coroner's document;
- a certificate of safe transport from Port Health Services;
- a hermetically sealed inner coffin made of zinc or lead, or an approved foil liner, placed inside a wooden coffin.
Sanitary supervision for export during working hours costs 64 €, and an extra fee may apply outside working hours.
Source: Environmental Health Directorate: Repatriation of human remains and ashes
The funeral service prepares the documents together with us.
For an urn at the Ukrainian border, you need an airtight, sealed metal urn, a death certificate, a cremation certificate, and a certificate confirming that the urn contains no prohibited items, legalized at a Ukrainian consulate (Article 22 of the Law of Ukraine "On Burial and Funeral Affairs").
Malta, Italy, and Ukraine are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. There is no separate Embassy of Ukraine in Malta; it is served by the Embassy of Ukraine in Italy. You can find the list of papers on the documents page, and read about border rules in the article customs clearance of an urn.
Comparison of options
| Cremation in Italy and urn | Body transport and cremation in Ukraine | |
|---|---|---|
| Borders | Malta, Italy, then Ukraine | Malta, then Ukraine |
| Documents | Maltese for the body, Italian for the urn | Maltese for the body, Ukrainian for cremation |
| Price | cremation calculated separately, urn from 800 € | see the country page, cremation in Ukraine is separate |
| Farewell | in Italy before cremation | in Ukraine |
How much it costs
We calculate the price of body transport and cremation in Italy based on your situation. Transporting an urn with ashes to Ukraine costs from 800 €. We work without prepayment: payment is made after handover under the contract. Details are on the urn transport page.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to cremate a person in Malta?
The law allows it, but there is no operating licensed crematorium on the island yet. Therefore, cremation is done abroad or in Ukraine after transport.
Where do Maltese families take bodies for cremation?
Mainly to Sicily or the United Kingdom, according to The Shift.
What is simpler for a Ukrainian family?
Often, it is simpler to transport the body to Ukraine and cremate it there. This means one route and a farewell at home.
Can you keep an urn at home in Malta?
Yes, the Cremation Act explicitly allows this.
Who helps with documents in Malta?
There is no Embassy of Ukraine in Malta; consular matters are handled by the Embassy of Ukraine in Italy. Documents for the body are prepared by the funeral service together with us.
Do I have to pay in advance?
No. Payment is made after handover under the contract.
What to do now
- Call us and tell us where and when the person died.
- Decide with your family: cremation in Italy or transporting the body to Ukraine.
- Think about where the burial will take place in Ukraine.
- Sign a power of attorney. We will take care of the rest.
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