Call +380 77 882 77 77Ask about urn transport
In brief (30 seconds).
- The cremation request (begjæring om kremasjon) is submitted by the person responsible for the funeral. If the deceased did not appoint anyone, this is the closest relative in the order set by law.
- The coffin must be handed over for cremation no later than 10 working days after death.
- The crematorium notifies the police about the cremation at least 3 days in advance.
- In Oslo, cremation is free for city residents; for others in 2026, it costs 9,430 NOK.
- 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. Who Gives Consent for Cremation in Norway
A person over 18 can appoint in writing, with a signature and date, who will handle their funeral. If there is no such declaration, the right and duty to arrange the funeral belong to the closest relatives over 18 in the following order:
- spouse or partner with whom the person lived in a marriage-like relationship;
- children;
- parents;
- grandchildren;
- grandparents;
- brothers and sisters;
- nieces and nephews;
- uncles and aunts.
A spouse who was officially separated at the time of death (separasjon by court or authority decision) does not have this right. If relatives disagree on who is responsible for the funeral, the municipality (kommune) decides. This decision cannot be appealed.
The person responsible for the funeral is called the gravferdsansvarlig. They submit the request for cremation and later decide where the urn will be buried.
If the Family Is in Ukraine
You do not have to travel to Norway. A funeral home (begravelsesbyrå) usually arranges everything with a power of attorney from the family. In Oslo, the urn is released to a person with valid ID or a signed power of attorney from the gravferdsansvarlig. You sign the power of attorney, and our partners in Norway handle the rest. We will clarify whether the power of attorney needs translation before we begin.
Permits and Documents for Cremation
The law does not require a separate municipal permit for cremation. You will need:
- a cremation request from the person responsible for the funeral;
- death documents, which the funeral home usually arranges together with the doctor;
- a coffin. Cremation without a coffin is not allowed in Norway, and it must be made of wood.
Before cremation, pacemakers and similar implants are removed from the body. Please mention them in advance.
Only an approved crematorium can perform the cremation. At least 3 days before the cremation, it notifies the police at the place of death. Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays are not included in this period. The police may require the cremation to be postponed if a forensic examination is likely to be ordered.
How Long Does Cremation Take
The coffin must be handed over for cremation no later than 10 working days after death. This deadline does not apply if a forensic examination or autopsy is ordered. The cemetery authority (gravplassmyndigheten) may extend the deadline if there are strong reasons.
At the same time, cremation cannot happen too quickly: 3 days are needed to notify the police. In Oslo, the date of cremation is set by the city cemetery agency (Gravplassetaten), unless agreed otherwise. The family may attend or agree on a time.
For a family in Ukraine, this means one thing: the decision must be made quickly. Call us in the first few days after the death.
How Much Does Cremation Cost in Norway
Prices are set by the municipality based on a proposal from the cemetery authority. Here is an example for Oslo from the 2026 price list:
| Service (in Norwegian) | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Kremasjon for Osloborgere | cremation for Oslo residents | free |
| Kremasjonsavgift, utenbysborger | cremation for non-residents of Oslo | 9,430 NOK |
| Overføring av aske til godkjent urne | transferring ashes into another urn | 616 NOK |
| Salg av urne | crematorium urn | 204 NOK |
| Forsendelse av urne innenlands | shipping the urn within Norway | 977 NOK |
Source: Oslo Cemeteries and Crematorium Price List, 2026
An Oslo resident is someone who was registered as living in Oslo in the National Population Register at the time of death. For Oslo residents, the crematorium urn is also free. Other municipalities have their own prices.
The funeral home, the coffin, and transporting the body to the crematorium are paid for separately.
If we arrange the cremation through our local partners, we calculate the cremation cost for your specific situation. If the urn is already ready, we simply pick it up.
Transporting an urn with ashes to Ukraine costs from 800 €. We work without prepayment: you pay after the urn is handed over according to the contract. See details on the urn transport page.
The Urn for Transport
After cremation, the ashes are placed in an urn along with a fireproof plate bearing the cremation number. The urn is sealed and marked with the number and the name of the deceased.
Norwegian rules require an urn made of organic material that decomposes in the ground. It must withstand regular postal shipping and be no larger than 40 × 25 × 25 cm. For a long journey, we recommend a sturdy urn without glass.
If transported by plane, the urn is usually taken in carry-on luggage by prior arrangement with the airline. At security, it is X-rayed. Each airline sets its own rules.
How to Take an Urn from Norway to Ukraine
We found no separate state permit in the law for taking ashes abroad. However, there are two important requirements.
First: the urn must be buried no later than six months after death. So you should plan the burial in Ukraine right away.
Second: if the urn will be buried somewhere other than where it is stored, the cemetery authority sets the conditions for release and shipping so that the urn does not get lost. In Oslo, the urn is handed over in person when it is being transferred to another cemetery authority. Therefore, the crematorium may ask for confirmation from the cemetery in Ukraine.
The urn must be accompanied by:
- the death certificate;
- the cremation certificate from the crematorium;
- a translation into Ukrainian.
In Norway, the Apostille is issued by the County Governor (Statsforvalteren), free of charge. Both Norway and Ukraine are parties to the Hague Convention. We verify the final list of documents with the Embassy of Ukraine in Norway. The full list is on the documents page.
Transport can be done by plane or by land. Read more about crossing the border in the article on customs clearance for an urn.
Can You Transport the Urn Yourself?
Yes. The urn is released to the gravferdsansvarlig or to a person holding their power of attorney.
Where problems usually arise: there is no confirmation of a burial plot in Ukraine; the six-month deadline is running out; the urn was not cleared with the airline; translations are missing. If time is short or you cannot travel, it is better to entrust this to us.
Cremation vs. Transporting a Body
| Urn with ashes | Body in a coffin | |
|---|---|---|
| Documents | death certificate, cremation certificate, translation | body transport documents, translations |
| Transport | regular car or plane | specialized hearse, hermetically sealed coffin |
| Timeframes | cremation within 10 working days after death | depends on documents and transport |
| Price | from 800 € | see the country page |
If the family wishes to bury the body, read about transporting a body from Norway.
Burying the Urn in Ukraine
The urn can be buried in a separate grave, placed in a columbarium, or buried in an existing family grave. You will need permission from the cemetery and the documents we bring with the urn. Read more in the article on urn burial.
Timeframes: From the First Call to Burying the Urn
| Stage | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Consultation, power of attorney, choosing a cemetery in Ukraine | 1–3 days |
| Cremation request, police notification | from 3 working days |
| Cremation | within 10 working days after death |
| Documents, translation, Apostille | 1–2 weeks |
| Transporting the urn to Ukraine | 2–4 days |
| Burying the urn | within 6 months after death under Norwegian law |
These timeframes are approximate. They depend on the authorities, the police, and the crematorium.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Ukrainian be cremated in Norway?
Yes. The law makes no distinction based on citizenship. A request from the person responsible for the funeral and a coffin are required.
Who decides on cremation?
The person appointed in writing by the deceased. If there is no such person, the closest relative: spouse, then children, parents, grandchildren, and others. Disputes are resolved by the municipality.
How much does cremation cost in Norway?
In Oslo, it is free for city residents and 9,430 NOK for others (2026). Transporting the urn to Ukraine costs from 800 €.
How quickly must cremation take place?
The coffin must be handed over for cremation no later than 10 working days after death. The deadline can be extended for strong reasons.
How much time is there to bury the urn?
By law, the urn must be buried no later than six months after death. Plan the burial in Ukraine right away.
Is an Apostille required?
The Apostille is issued by the Statsforvalteren, free of charge. We check with the embassy whether your cemetery requires it.
What to Do Now
- Call us in the first few days: the 10-working-day deadline starts from the day of death.
- Decide within the family who is responsible for the funeral and prepare a power of attorney.
- Arrange with a cemetery in Ukraine where you will bury the urn.
- We will arrange the cremation through our partners or pick up the ready urn and bring it home.
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