Call +380 77 882 77 77Ask about exhumation
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- Permission for exhumation is granted by Egyptian authorities. We clarify which specific authority and under what conditions for the particular cemetery and city.
- The first conversation is always with the cemetery administration. In Cairo, the British government names the Latin and Protestant cemeteries among the common ones.
- Egypt is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents go through full legalization: the issuing authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, and the Consulate of Ukraine.
- There are no official crematoria in Egypt, so a coffin will have to be transported.
- Our exhumation service starts from €500 plus transport from Egypt. No prepayment for transport.
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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
Usually, the decision is made by the next of kin. In its guidance on bereavement in Egypt, the British government states that decisions are made by the next of kin and they can authorize another person to handle the matter. For exhumation, this is also the main principle.
However, we have not officially confirmed who exactly has the right to submit the application and whether the consent of all heirs is required. We clarify this with the local authority and the cemetery before submitting documents. Be prepared that they will ask for documents proving the family relationship and the consent of other close relatives.
If the Family Lives in Ukraine
You do not have to travel to Egypt. You issue a power of attorney, we pass the documents to our partners in Egypt, and they handle the case on the ground. Important: a power of attorney from Ukraine for Egypt will need to be legalized, as an apostille is not valid there. We explain how below.
Law and Permits
Exhumation in Egypt is regulated by national legislation on cemeteries and sanitary rules. We have not found a complete official text outlining the procedure for foreigners in open government sources. Therefore, we do not name the authority, timeline, or list of documents until we confirm them for your case.
What we do in practice:
- find out who manages the cemetery. Regarding the burial of foreigners, the British government advises contacting local religious representatives and funeral directors. In Cairo, it names the Latin and Protestant cemeteries in Old Cairo among the common ones;
- submit a request for a permit to the local authorities through our partner;
- at the same time, prepare the documents for export and legalization.
What to Prepare in Advance
Even while the cemetery conditions are being clarified, some paperwork can be gathered right away. Usually, we need:
- the Egyptian death certificate in Arabic. If you do not have it, we will tell you how to get a copy;
- a copy of the deceased's passport, if preserved;
- any document from the cemetery: a receipt, letter, or plot number;
- the passport and proof of family relationship of the person handling the case;
- a power of attorney for our partners, which will then be legalized;
- a certificate from the Ukrainian cemetery confirming a plot for the new burial.
The more complete the package at the start, the fewer trips between offices.
Processing times are not known in advance. We do not promise specific days until we receive an answer from the cemetery and the authorities.
When Exhumation Is Possible in Egypt
A minimum period after burial, seasonal restrictions, and bans for certain infectious diseases may apply in Egypt. We did not find them in an official source, so we check with the local authority for your burial date and cause of death.
The British government also reminds us: if a person had an infectious disease, such as hepatitis or HIV, the local authorities must be informed so they can take precautions. Therefore, we check the medical part of the documents first.
How the Exhumation Takes Place
The exhumation is carried out by cemetery workers on a day agreed upon by the authorities and the cemetery administration. Whether relatives can be present is decided by the cemetery.
The remains are placed into a hermetic transport coffin with a zinc liner. For transporting a body from Egypt, the British government states that embalming is required. We clarify on the spot what requirements apply specifically to exhumed remains.
Cremation is almost out of the question as an option. According to the British government, there are no official crematoria in Egypt. There is one unofficial one in Alexandria, which can only be used with the permission of the local authorities, and the process is complicated. Therefore, we plan on transporting a coffin.
Documents for Export to Ukraine
Legalization Instead of an Apostille
Egypt is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Therefore, every Egyptian document goes through a chain:
- certification by the authority that issued the document. For example, a paper death certificate is certified by the Ministry of Health or the Governorate Health Directorate, and then by the Secretary General of the Governorate;
- certification at the legalization office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt. Standard certification costs 115 Egyptian pounds;
- consular legalization at the Embassy of Ukraine in Egypt.
The translation is certified separately, after the original. According to the rules of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, documents from Ukraine for use in Egypt are first certified at an Egyptian diplomatic mission or at the Embassy of Ukraine in Egypt, and then at the legalization office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt.
Embassy of Ukraine
The Consular Section of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Arab Republic of Egypt (Cairo) will advise which documents are needed to bring the remains into Ukraine and how to legalize Egyptian papers. We provide a complete list of documents to each family individually.
Reburial in Ukraine
A separate permit is required in Ukraine. Reburial is authorized by the executive committee of the local council at the place of the new burial. We arrange this permit together with the family.
It is best to arrange the plot at the cemetery in Ukraine in advance. To learn how we transport the coffin, read our page on transporting a body from Egypt.
How Much It Costs
We have not found official tariffs for exhumation in Egypt. The price for the work is set by the cemetery or the local funeral service for the specific grave. Only the fee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt for standard legalization is officially known: 115 Egyptian pounds per document.
Cemetery work, permits, translations, legalization, the coffin for transport, and the transport itself are paid for separately.
Our price: exhumation from €500 plus the cost of transport (repatriation) from Egypt. We calculate the exact amount for your situation. No prepayment for transport: payment is made after handover according to the contract.
How Long It Takes: From the Call to the Funeral
| Stage | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Consultation, power of attorney, legalization of power of attorney | 2–4 weeks |
| Certificate for a plot in Ukraine | 1–2 weeks (in parallel) |
| Cemetery response and permit from authorities | from several weeks |
| Exhumation | according to the cemetery's schedule |
| Export documents and legalization | 1–3 weeks |
| Transport to Ukraine | a few days |
| Executive committee permit and burial | 1–3 weeks |
Timelines are approximate; in Egypt, they depend heavily on local authorities. At every stage, we will honestly tell you where the case stands.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to transport remains from Egypt to Ukraine?
Only if the Egyptian authorities grant an exhumation permit. You also need a set of export documents. We find out the conditions for the specific cemetery before we start.
Is an apostille needed on Egyptian documents?
No, Egypt is not a party to the Apostille Convention. Legalization is required: the authority that issued the document, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, and the Consulate of Ukraine.
Can the remains be cremated and brought back in an urn?
Practically no. According to the British government, there are no official crematoria in Egypt, so a coffin will have to be transported.
Do we need to travel to Egypt?
No. A legalized power of attorney is enough. Our partners handle the case on the ground.
How much does exhumation cost in Egypt?
There are no official tariffs; the cemetery sets the price. Our work starts from €500 plus transport.
What to Do Now
- Call us and tell us where the person is buried: city, cemetery, year of burial.
- Find the Egyptian death certificate and any document from the cemetery.
- Decide who in the family will handle the case and issue a power of attorney. We will tell you how to legalize it.
- Arrange a plot with the cemetery in Ukraine. We will take care of the rest.
Call +380 77 882 77 77Ask about exhumation
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