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In brief in 30 seconds.
- In Tbilisi, reburial (გადასვენება) is possible only with the consent of the family and the cemetery operator, and based on a sanitary and epidemiological conclusion.
- Timeframes in Tbilisi: remains can be moved from a municipal cemetery within 40 days after burial or after one year has passed.
- Once the reburial application is registered, you have 60 days; at the family's request, this period can be extended by another month.
- Only the cemetery operator has the right to dig the grave.
- Our exhumation service costs from 500 € plus the cost of transportation (repatriation) from Georgia. We calculate the exact amount for 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
The Tbilisi rules (Tbilisi Sakrebulo Resolution No. 20-103 of 30.12.2014) state who makes the decision on burial or reburial if there is no will or other written instruction:
- a person appointed by the deceased during their lifetime by contract;
- spouse (husband or wife);
- adult children;
- parents;
- other adult family members;
- relatives.
If they cannot agree, the dispute is resolved in the manner established by law, meaning through the court.
The "chirisupali" (ჭირისუფალი) negotiates with the cemetery operator. This is the term the rules use for a close relative, a person named in the will, or the person who organizes the funeral and pays for the services. It is the chirisupali who applies to the operator and agrees on the date. If the family is in Ukraine, we act under a power of attorney on behalf of the chirisupali, and we check in advance whether a specific operator will accept such a power of attorney.
If the family is in Ukraine, traveling to Georgia is usually not necessary. You sign a power of attorney before a notary, we get it apostilled, translate it into Georgian, and handle the matter with the operator.
Law and permits
In the documents we reviewed, there is no separate state permit for exhumation: everything is decided by the family and the cemetery operator. The key rules are as follows.
Tbilisi, Article 6 of the rules:
- reburial into another grave is possible only with the consent of the family (chirisupali) and the cemetery operator;
- basis: a sanitary and epidemiological conclusion issued by the operator itself, and a municipal document for the new burial plot. For reburial abroad, a Georgian municipal document for a new plot is not required;
- reburial is carried out in compliance with sanitary and epidemiological norms within 60 days of registering the application. At the family's request, the period can be extended by no more than a month;
- if the deadline is missed, the agreement loses its force, and the money paid is not refunded.
Article 7: only the cemetery operator has the right to dig the grave.
In other municipalities, the rules are similar. For example, in Senaki, reburial is also possible only with the consent of the family and the legal entity managing the cemetery. We check the processing time and prices with the local authority.
When it is possible
In Tbilisi, the rules directly state: remains can be moved from a municipal cemetery within 40 days after burial or after one year has passed (Article 6, Clause 19). This means that between the 40th day and the one-year mark, reburials are not carried out at Tbilisi municipal cemeteries. For other cities, we check the timeframes with the local authority.
Old and neglected graves
If a grave is neglected, has lost the appearance of a grave, and 20 years have passed since the last burial, Tbilisi rules allow this plot to be given for a new burial (Article 7). Before doing so, an information sign is placed on the grave and a notice is published on the operator's website. If the family does not appear within two years after publication, the plot may be reused. Therefore, if you have not visited the grave for a long time, we first check its status with the operator.
Season and infections
There are no seasonal bans in the rules we reviewed. Restrictions for infectious diseases are not spelled out separately, but everything is done on the basis of the operator's sanitary and epidemiological conclusion.
How the exhumation takes place
The grave is opened by the cemetery operator; no one else has the right to do this. After the reburial, the grave is immediately filled in and leveled. If the cemetery does not have complete records of the grave or there are no nameplates on it, Tbilisi rules require a notarized statement from the family confirming who is buried there, along with the death certificate of the person being moved.
For transportation to Ukraine, the remains are placed in a new hermetic transport coffin with a zinc liner. We did not find any separate Georgian requirements for a coffin used for transport abroad.
Cremation after exhumation: we did not find any rules on this, so we check with the local authority.
Documents for transport to Ukraine
- agreement with the cemetery operator and its sanitary and epidemiological conclusion;
- death certificate (გარდაცვალების მოწმობა);
- document confirming the new burial plot in Ukraine;
- power of attorney for us, if the family is not traveling.
We check with the local authority whether any other Georgian documents are needed to cross the border specifically with exhumed remains. The power of attorney that you sign in Ukraine is also apostilled and translated into Georgian. Georgian documents for Ukraine are apostilled: Georgia and Ukraine are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. Next, we translate them into Ukrainian and coordinate the accompanying documents with the Embassy of Ukraine in Georgia. 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 this part at the same time as the Georgian part to fit within the 60 days given by Tbilisi. Details are in the article exhumation and reburial in Ukraine.
How much exhumation costs in Georgia
Prices for cemetery services are set by the operator. There is no single state tariff, so we check the amount with the local authority. A new coffin, notary, apostille, and translations are paid for separately. Keep in mind: if you miss the deadline, the money paid for the reburial is not refunded.
Our exhumation service costs from 500 € plus the cost of transportation (repatriation) from Georgia. We calculate the exact amount for your situation. For transportation, we work without prepayment: payment is made after handover under the contract. Read about the transport itself on the repatriation of a body from Georgia page.
How long it takes
| Stage | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Initial call, finding out the cemetery, burial date, and who the chirisupali is | 1-3 days |
| Power of attorney, apostille, translation | 1-2 weeks |
| Documents for the plot in Ukraine | 1-2 weeks, in parallel |
| Application to the operator, sanitary conclusion | checked with the operator |
| Exhumation and transportation | within 60 days of registering the application (Tbilisi) |
| Reburial in Ukraine | by agreement with the cemetery |
These are our estimates. Exact timeframes depend on authorities beyond our control. If more than 40 days but less than a year have passed since the burial, in Tbilisi you will have to wait for the one-year mark.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to do an exhumation in Georgia and transport the person to Ukraine?
Yes. In Tbilisi, you need the consent of the cemetery operator and its sanitary and epidemiological conclusion. A Georgian municipal document for a new burial plot is not required when reburying abroad.
When can remains be moved in Tbilisi?
Within 40 days after burial or after one year has passed. Between these periods, the rules do not allow reburial from municipal cemeteries.
Who gives permission for exhumation in Georgia?
The cemetery operator, with whom the family makes an agreement. There is no separate state permit in the rules we reviewed.
What happens if the relatives disagree among themselves?
The dispute is resolved by law, meaning through the court. Until there is an agreement, the operator is unlikely to agree to a reburial.
How much does exhumation cost in Georgia?
Prices are set by the cemetery operator. Our exhumation service costs from 500 € plus transportation to Ukraine.
Do relatives need to travel to Georgia?
Usually no. A power of attorney with an apostille and translation is enough.
What to do now
- Find the name of the cemetery and city, the date of burial, and the death certificate.
- Check whether you are within the 40-day window or need to wait for a year to pass (for Tbilisi).
- Agree within the family on who will be the chirisupali, and decide where the new burial in Ukraine will take place.
- Call us. We will make arrangements with the cemetery operator and organize the transportation.
We work 24/7, and are also available on Viber, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
Sources
- Tbilisi Sakrebulo Resolution No. 20-103 of 30.12.2014 "Rules for Establishing and Maintaining Cemeteries in Tbilisi", Art. 2, 6, 7 (Matsne, consolidated version of 15.04.2025)
- Cemetery Rules of Senaki Municipality, Resolution No. 53 of 28.12.2011, Art. 8 (Matsne)
- HCCH: Apostille Convention status table (Georgia, Ukraine)
- Embassy of Ukraine in Georgia
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