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- The procedure is governed by the Funeral Services Act (zákon č. 256/2001 Sb., o pohřebnictví), Section 22.
- The application is submitted by the grave plot leaseholder (nájemce hrobového místa). Proof of death and the written consent of the person who decides on burial matters under the Civil Code must always be attached to the application.
- The decomposition period is at least 10 years, and the exact period is set by the cemetery. Before it expires, the grave can be opened only with the consent of the regional hygiene station (krajská hygienická stanice, KHS).
- Czechia and Ukraine have a bilateral treaty on legal assistance: Czech documents for use in Ukraine do not require an apostille.
- Our service costs from €500 plus the cost of transportation from Czechia. We calculate the exact amount based on your situation.
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By law, the applicant is the leaseholder of the grave plot (nájemce hrobového místa). Usually, this is the relative who signed the grave lease agreement. In addition, the application must always include the written consent of the person who has the right to decide on burial matters (Section 114 of the Civil Code). The order of priority is as follows: if the deceased left no instructions, the spouse decides; if there is none, the children; then the parents; then siblings; then their children; and then any close person.
If the family is in Ukraine, there is usually no need to travel to Czechia. You sign a power of attorney and the written consent, and we prepare the application. If the grave lease agreement is in someone else's name or has already expired, we check this with the cemetery right at the start.
The Law and Permits
Funeral Services Act (256/2001 Sb.):
- Section 22 (5): before the decomposition period expires, exhumation at the request of the leaseholder is carried out only with the consent of the regional hygiene station. Regardless of the period, the leaseholder must attach proof of death and the written consent of the person under Section 114 of the Civil Code to the application. The costs are borne by the person who made the request.
- Section 22 (7): exhumation is only possible with the consent of the cemetery operator (provozovatel pohřebiště) and under the conditions of that cemetery.
- Section 4a (2): opening a grave and removing the remains may only be done by the cemetery operator or a person or funeral service specified in the cemetery rules (řád pohřebiště).
- Section 19: the cemetery rules include, among other things, the conditions for opening graves after the decomposition period.
So there are two scenarios. The period has passed: an application, the consent of the cemetery operator, and the documents are required. The period has not passed: the consent of the KHS is required in addition. The law does not set a timeframe for how long the KHS takes to review the application; we check this with the local office.
What We Ask at the Cemetery
- what decomposition period is stated in the rules of this cemetery and when it expires;
- who the current grave leaseholder is and whether the lease agreement is valid;
- who does the work: the cemetery itself or a funeral service;
- which works are included in the price and which are paid separately;
- what will happen to the headstone and the lease agreement after the remains are removed;
- when the cemetery can schedule a date for the works.
When It Is Permitted
- By law, the decomposition period (tlecí doba) is at least 10 years. Each cemetery sets the exact period in its rules, taking into account the soil conditions and the opinion of the KHS. For example, Prague cemeteries state a decomposition period of 10 years for graves in their price list. At other cemeteries it may be longer, so we check the rules of your specific cemetery.
- Before the period expires, the grave can be opened only with the consent of the KHS.
- The law does not set separate seasonal bans. The date of the works is scheduled by the cemetery. We check on site whether there are any restrictions in winter.
During the work, the cemetery operator must organize the work so as not to disturb public order and to prevent the spread of any potential infection.
How the Work Is Done
The work is carried out by the cemetery operator or a funeral service in accordance with the cemetery rules. For example, in Prague, according to the cemetery price list, handling the remains, removing the ledger stone, excavation work, pallbearers, and the exhumation coffin are paid separately.
Exhumed uncremated remains may only be transported by road in a special funeral vehicle (Section 9). For transportation to Ukraine, the body is placed in a hermetically sealed transport coffin with a zinc liner.
Cremation of exhumed remains is possible in Czechia: the law expressly allows crematoriums to cremate exhumed remains. In that case, we transport an urn to Ukraine. We clarify the specific conditions with the crematorium.
Documents for Repatriation to Ukraine
- application from the grave leaseholder, consent of the cemetery operator, and, if the decomposition period has not passed, consent of the KHS;
- proof of death and the written consent of the person under Section 114 of the Civil Code;
- transit permit for the body (průvodní list, "umrlčí pas"). It is issued by the regional hygiene station if required under an international treaty (Section 9). We check with the KHS whether it is required for Ukraine;
- death certificate (úmrtní list).
An apostille is not required: the bilateral treaty on legal assistance between Czechia and Ukraine exempts documents from additional certification. We provide the Ukrainian translation. Before departure, we coordinate the document package with the Embassy of Ukraine in Czechia. 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 place of the new burial is required. We prepare the plot in Ukraine in parallel with the Czech documents. Read more in the article exhumation and reburial in Ukraine.
How Much Exhumation Costs in Czechia
Prices are set by each cemetery. Example: Prague Cemeteries and Funeral Services (Hřbitovy a pohřební služby hl. m. Prahy), price list effective January 1, 2025:
- exhumation of undecomposed remains (handling of remains only): 12 320 Kč;
- exhumation of decomposed remains: 4 314 Kč;
- disposal of hazardous waste after exhumation: 1 071 Kč.
Removing the ledger stone, excavation work, pallbearers, and the exhumation coffin are not included in these amounts. A new coffin for transportation and translations are paid separately.
Our service costs from €500 plus the cost of transportation (repatriation) from Czechia. We calculate the exact amount for your situation, including local fees. For transportation, we work without prepayment: payment is made after handover under the contract.
How Long It Takes
| Stage | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Initial call, checking the cemetery, grave leaseholder, and decomposition period | 1–3 days |
| Power of attorney, consent under Section 114, translations, burial plot in Ukraine | 1–3 weeks |
| Consent of the cemetery operator | from a few days to a few weeks |
| Consent of the KHS, if the period has not passed | no statutory timeframe, we check locally |
| Opening the grave, new coffin, documents | 1–2 weeks |
| Transportation to Ukraine | 1–3 days |
| Reburial in Ukraine | by arrangement with the cemetery |
Timeframes depend on authorities beyond our control. If the decomposition period has already passed, the procedure in Czechia is usually shorter because the consent of the hygiene station is not required. The longest wait then is for the cemetery to schedule a work date.
Frequently asked questions
Can remains be exhumed in Czechia and moved to Ukraine?
Yes. You need an application from the grave leaseholder, the written consent of the person under Section 114 of the Civil Code, the consent of the cemetery operator, and, before the decomposition period expires, the consent of the KHS as well.
Who decides whether the grave can be opened in Czechia?
The cemetery operator. If the decomposition period has not passed, the consent of the regional hygiene station is also required.
How many years must pass after the burial?
The decomposition period is at least 10 years; the exact period is in the cemetery rules. An earlier opening is also possible, but only with the consent of the KHS.
Is an apostille required on Czech documents?
No. The bilateral treaty on legal assistance between Czechia and Ukraine exempts documents from an apostille.
How much does exhumation cost in Czechia?
In Prague, from 4 314 to 12 320 Kč just for handling the remains, plus excavation work and a coffin. Our service costs from €500 plus transportation to Ukraine.
Do relatives need to travel to Czechia?
Usually no. We handle the documents by power of attorney, and the consent under Section 114 can be signed in advance.
What to Do Now
- Gather what you have: cemetery name, grave number, grave lease agreement, death certificate.
- Find out who the grave leaseholder is and who in the family has the right to give consent under Section 114.
- Decide on the burial place in Ukraine.
- Call us. We will check the cemetery rules and the decomposition period and prepare the application. Read more about transporting a body on the body repatriation from Czechia page.
We work 24/7, and are also available on Viber, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
Sources
- Zákon č. 256/2001 Sb., o pohřebnictví, §§ 4a, 9, 14, 19, 22 (zakonyprolidi.cz, aktuální znění)
- Zákon č. 89/2012 Sb., občanský zákoník, § 114
- Hřbitovy a pohřební služby hl. m. Prahy: ceník od 1. 1. 2025 (ceny exhumace, tlecí doba 10 let)
- Generální konzulát ČR ve Lvově: Legalizace dokumentů (čl. 18 smlouvy o právní pomoci)
- Embassy of Ukraine in Czechia
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