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Briefly in 30 seconds.
- Main document: Regulation No. 2 of April 21, 2011 on health requirements for cemeteries, burial, and transport of the deceased (Наредба № 2 от 2011 г.).
- Raising a body earlier than 8 years after burial is only possible by order of a court or prosecutor. For specific cemeteries, the Chief State Health Inspector may set a shorter period.
- A body can be taken out of Bulgaria with a permit from the director of the Regional Health Inspectorate (RZI). It is issued within 24 hours, and the fee is €10.23.
- Export requires a metal coffin with a filtration system or another option explicitly named in the regulation, hermetically sealed.
- Our exhumation service costs from €500 plus the cost of transport from Bulgaria. We calculate the exact amount based on your situation.
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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 Can Request an Exhumation in Bulgaria
According to the regulation, the application for a permit to transport a body abroad is submitted by a spouse, a relative, or a person authorized by them. It can also be submitted through a funeral agency under a power of attorney or contract. If the agency is not registered in Bulgaria, a document confirming its registration in its home country is attached.
The cemetery owner decides who approves the actual exhumation at the cemetery. Under the regulation, cemeteries are managed by their owners or persons authorized by them, which is often the municipality (община) or its municipal company. We check the exact procedure for a specific cemetery with the municipality.
If the family is in Ukraine, there is usually no need to travel to Bulgaria. You sign a power of attorney, we prepare the applications, and we translate the documents proving kinship into Bulgarian.
Law and Permits
Regulation No. 2 of 2011 was issued on the basis of the Health Act. What matters to us in it:
- Article 26: exhumation before 8 years have passed since the burial, or before a shorter period set for a specific cemetery, is allowed only by order of a court or prosecutor (under Article 157 of the Criminal Procedure Code) and after written notification to the RZI;
- Article 25: a shorter period for individual cemeteries or plots may be set by the Chief State Health Inspector, taking into account the climate, soil, and groundwater level;
- Article 24: transporting the deceased from Bulgaria to another country is permitted by the director of the relevant RZI.
The regulation does not describe a separate state procedure for "exhumation at the family's request." Therefore, after 8 years have passed, the family arranges the exhumation with the cemetery owner and then obtains an RZI export permit. We check with the local authority to see which documents a specific municipality requires.
What We Ask at the Municipality and the Cemetery
- who owns the cemetery and who signs the consent for exhumation;
- whether a period shorter than 8 years has been set for this cemetery;
- whether the consent of other relatives or the plot owner is needed;
- how much the cemetery's work costs;
- when the cemetery can carry out the work;
- what to do with the headstone and fence.
If Less Than 8 Years Have Passed
We tell you honestly right away: in this case, exhumation at the family's request is not possible under the regulation. You can only plan it for the date when the period expires, and prepare the documents and the burial plot in Ukraine in advance.
When It Is Possible
- Less than 8 years after burial: only by order of a court or prosecutor. A simple application from the family is not enough.
- More than 8 years: exhumation can be planned with the cemetery owner.
- For a specific cemetery, the period may be shorter if set by the Chief State Health Inspector. We check this right away.
We found no seasonal bans in the regulation; the date of the work is set by the cemetery. The regulation does not contain separate rules for cases of infectious diseases during exhumation, but the grave must be disinfected after the work is done.
Urn. For export, cremated remains are placed in a suitable container that clearly states what is inside.
How the Exhumation Works
Cemetery workers (gravediggers) work in personal protective equipment and disinfect their hands after the work. The grave from which the remains were raised is filled in and disinfected with a biocide. This is required by Article 26 of the regulation.
For export, the regulation allows three options:
- a metal coffin with a filtration system;
- a tight wooden coffin lined on the inside with sheet metal;
- a tightly closed transport container.
The bottom of the coffin is covered with sawdust or an absorbent mattress and sprinkled with an approved biocide. The coffin is hermetically closed and/or soldered and sealed. An RZI officer checks that these requirements are met before issuing the permit. We use a hermetic transport coffin with a zinc liner.
Whether the remains can be cremated after exhumation depends on the condition of the remains and the crematorium. We verify this with the local authority.
Documents for Transport to Ukraine
An application to the RZI director using the standard form, accompanied by:
- a copy of the medical death notification;
- a copy of the death record or an extract from it (препис-извлечение);
- a copy of the deceased's identity document;
- a copy of the cremation permit, if cremation took place;
- a certificate from a forensic medical examiner, if an autopsy or treatment of the remains was performed;
- a power of attorney or contract with the funeral agency;
- proof of fee payment.
The RZI checks the documents and the coffin within 24 hours and issues the permit within 24 hours. The regional administration places an apostille on the death certificate issued by the municipality. Next is the translation into Ukrainian. Before departure, we coordinate the document package with the Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria. The general list is on the documents page.
Reburial in Ukraine
For a new burial in Ukraine, a permit from the executive body of the local council at the new burial place is required. We prepare the plot in Ukraine in parallel so there is no waiting after the exhumation. Read more in the article exhumation and reburial in Ukraine.
How Much Exhumation Costs in Bulgaria
The state fee for the RZI permit to export a body is €10.23. Prices for cemetery work are set by the cemetery owner, and they vary in each municipality. Paid separately:
- cemetery work;
- a new coffin for transport;
- apostille and translations;
- dismantling of the headstone.
Our exhumation service costs from €500 plus the cost of transport (repatriation) from Bulgaria. We calculate the exact amount for your situation, including local fees. For transport, we work without prepayment: payment is made after handover according to the contract.
How Long It Takes
| Stage | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Consultation, checking the burial date, cemetery, municipality | 1–3 days |
| Power of attorney, translations, burial plot in Ukraine | 1–3 weeks |
| Approval from the cemetery owner | from a few days to a few weeks |
| Exhumation, new coffin | according to the cemetery's schedule |
| RZI export permit | up to 24 hours after documents and inspection |
| Transport to Ukraine | a few days |
| Reburial in Ukraine | by arrangement with the cemetery |
Timelines depend on the authorities and the cemetery. The fastest stage is the RZI permit: the regulation gives 24 hours to check the documents and coffin, and 24 hours for the permit itself. The longest wait is usually for the work date at the cemetery. If less than 8 years have passed since the burial, exhumation at the family's request will have to be postponed.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to exhume a body in Bulgaria and transport the person to Ukraine?
Yes, if at least 8 years have passed since the burial, or a shorter period set for that specific cemetery. Consent from the cemetery owner and an RZI export permit are required.
How many years must pass after the burial?
8 years. Earlier than that, remains are raised only by order of a court or prosecutor.
Who gives the permit to take a body out of Bulgaria?
The director of the Regional Health Inspectorate (RZI). The permit is issued within 24 hours, and the fee is €10.23.
What kind of coffin is needed for export?
A metal coffin with a filtration system, a wooden coffin lined with metal, or a tight transport container, hermetically closed or soldered and sealed.
How much does exhumation cost in Bulgaria?
The RZI fee is €10.23, and cemetery work is charged according to the municipality's price list. Our exhumation service costs from €500 plus transport to Ukraine.
Do relatives need to travel to Bulgaria?
Usually no. We submit the applications under a power of attorney.
What to Do Now
- Find what you have: city, cemetery, plot number, death certificate.
- Check the burial date. Whether exhumation is possible right now depends on it.
- Decide on the burial place in Ukraine.
- Call us. We will find out the cemetery rules and prepare the documents for the RZI. For details on transporting a body, see the body repatriation from Bulgaria page.
We work 24/7, and are also available on Viber, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
Sources
- Наредба № 2 от 21.04.2011 г. за здравните изисквания към гробищни паркове (гробища) и погребването и пренасянето на покойници, чл. 24–26 (text on iisda.government.bg)
- Ministry of Health: Наредба за изменение и допълнение на Наредба № 2 от 2011 г. (чл. 4, 24, 24а, 26)
- IISDA: Издаване на разрешение за пренасяне на покойници извън страната (RZI Plovdiv, documents, €10.23)
- IISDA: RZI Kyustendil, разрешение за пренасяне извън страната (coffin, 24 h, inspection)
- HCCH: Bulgaria, Competent Authorities (Art. 6), apostille
- Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria
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