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- Municipalities manage the cemeteries, and each has its own cemetery regulations (Friedhofordnung).
- According to the regulations of the municipality of Schaan, the exhumation permit is granted by the Government of Liechtenstein (Regierung) or the Chief Medical Officer (Landesphysikus).
- The resting period of a grave (Grabesruhe) in Vaduz, Schaan, and Balzers is 25 years. In Vaduz, it can be shortened for a valid reason.
- The municipality of Vaduz does not carry out the exhumation itself, and the cost falls on the relatives.
- Our exhumation service starts at €500 plus the cost of transport from Liechtenstein. 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 request comes from the relatives. There is no ownership right to a grave in Liechtenstein. The Vaduz cemetery regulations clearly state that there is only a right of use (Benützungsrecht) for a grave or an urn niche. Therefore, the cemetery will deal with the person who arranged the funeral and under whose name the plot is recorded in the grave register (Grabkataster).
The Vaduz regulations allow relatives to request the closure of a grave (Grabauflösung) even before the resting period ends. The municipality has a short written form for this. It applies to the grave itself. For exhuming a body, this is not enough; a state permit is also required (see below).
If the family lives in Ukraine, there is usually no need to travel in person. We prepare the applications, and you sign a power of attorney. If the authority asks to confirm the family relationship, birth or marriage certificates translated into German will be needed. We check the exact list with the municipality where the person is buried.
Law and permits
We did not find a separate national burial law in the Liechtenstein legal database (Lilex). The rules are set by municipalities in their cemetery regulations. Here are two examples from official documents:
- Schaan. The cemetery regulations (as of 20.06.2023) state: the permit for exhumation (Exhumierung) is granted by the Government of Liechtenstein or the Chief Medical Officer (Landesphysikus).
- Vaduz. The cemetery regulations (revision of 26.03.2024) state that relevant legal provisions apply to exhumation and that the municipality does not perform it itself. Excavation is carried out on the family's instructions.
Official pages do not specify how to submit the application, how long the review takes, or whether a public health officer's report is needed. We clarify this with the local authority in each case. We will not promise a processing time in advance.
An important detail: on its portal, the Government of Liechtenstein directly advises contacting a funeral home when it comes to burial abroad. No separate state procedure "for relatives" is described there.
When it is possible
Resting period (Grabesruhe)
| Municipality | Resting period | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Vaduz | 25 years; family graves 50 years | Cemetery regulations, Art. 6 |
| Schaan | 25 years | Cemetery regulations, Sec. 10 |
| Balzers | 25 years | Municipal cemetery information |
In Vaduz, the cemetery supervisory board (Friedhofaufsicht) can shorten the period for valid reasons. In the regulations we reviewed, there is no minimum period after the funeral before an exhumation is allowed. So for requests like "exhumation after a year or two", the honest answer is: the authority granting the permit decides.
Season
We found no seasonal restrictions in the regulations of Vaduz, Schaan, or Balzers. We check with the local authority whether the Chief Medical Officer will set any.
Urn or coffin
It is simpler with an urn. However, in Vaduz, only biodegradable urns are placed in the ground. Durable urns are used for urn niches. The municipal form for grave closure specifically includes the option "prepare the urn for collection" (for urn niches). Once the resting period expires, ashes from niches are moved to a communal grave (Gemeinschaftsgrab). It will no longer be possible to retrieve them from there, so do not delay.
How the exhumation takes place
The municipality does not dig up the grave for exhumation. The work is done by a funeral company on the family's instructions and within the terms of the permit. On-site conditions, the presence of relatives, and sanitary requirements are set by the authority that issued the permit. We clarify these in each case.
In Vaduz, burials take place in softwood coffins. Therefore, for transport to Ukraine, the remains are transferred into a new hermetically sealed transport coffin with a zinc liner, which is closed airtight.
Another option is to cremate the remains after exhumation and transport the urn. For regular burials, the municipality of Vaduz pays for cremation in Chur or St. Gallen (Switzerland), meaning cremation takes place there. For exhumed remains, we clarify the procedure. We will calculate both options.
Documents for transfer to Ukraine
Usually required:
- exhumation permit (from the government or Chief Medical Officer);
- international death certificate (Todesschein international). It is issued by the Civil Registry Office (Zivilstandsamt) and costs 30 CHF;
- a document allowing the body to cross the border. Due to the customs treaty with Switzerland, international agreements on the transfer of corpses (from 1937 and 1973) apply in Liechtenstein. We clarify with the local authority who exactly issues this document in the case of an exhumation;
- for an urn: cremation certificate.
Liechtenstein is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention (LGBl. 1987.060), so documents receive an apostille. Then we translate them into Ukrainian. Ukraine is represented in Liechtenstein by the Embassy of Ukraine in Switzerland (concurrently), with the consular section in Bern. We coordinate the accompanying border documents with them in each case. The general list is on the documents page.
Reburial in Ukraine
A new burial in Ukraine also requires a permit. It is issued by the executive body of the local council at the place of the new burial. We can explain which papers the Ukrainian cemetery will ask for. We advise submitting the Ukrainian part in parallel with the Liechtenstein part. That way, the cemetery plot will already be waiting.
How much an exhumation costs in Liechtenstein
We did not find an official fee for exhumation. The Vaduz regulations state that a possible exhumation is paid for by the relatives, while the municipality only pays for regular burial services. The exhumation itself is not part of the municipality's work there, so the price is set by the funeral company. Separate fees apply for the death certificate (30 CHF), apostille, translations, the new coffin, and dismantling the headstone.
Our exhumation service costs from €500 plus the cost of transport (repatriation) from Liechtenstein. We calculate the exact amount for your situation. There is no prepayment for transport; payment is made after handover according to the contract.
How long it takes
| Stage | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Consultation, identifying the municipality, grave type, year of burial | 1–3 days |
| Power of attorney, family documents | 1–2 weeks |
| Application and exhumation permit | clarified with the authority, from several weeks |
| Exhumation, new coffin, documents, apostille | 1–2 weeks |
| Transport to Ukraine | a few days |
| Reburial in Ukraine | as agreed with the cemetery |
Timelines depend on authorities beyond our control. With an urn, it is usually faster.
Frequently asked questions
Who grants the exhumation permit in Liechtenstein?
According to the cemetery regulations of the municipality of Schaan, the permit is granted by the Government of Liechtenstein or the Chief Medical Officer (Landesphysikus). The municipality where the grave is located must also be informed, as it maintains the grave register.
Is it possible to exhume before the resting period ends?
The Vaduz regulations allow relatives to request the closure of a grave during the resting period. For a body, a state permit is still required. Whether it will be granted in your case is decided by the authority.
How many years does the resting period last?
In Vaduz, Schaan, and Balzers, it is 25 years. Family graves in Vaduz are granted for 50 years.
How much does an exhumation cost in Liechtenstein?
There is no official fee; the family pays, and the price is set by the company performing the work. Our exhumation service costs from €500 plus transport to Ukraine.
Can an urn be taken from an urn niche?
Yes, the Vaduz municipal form for grave closure specifically provides for the urn to be prepared for collection. After the resting period, the ashes are moved to a communal grave, so it is best not to delay.
Do relatives need to travel to Liechtenstein?
Usually not. We work under a power of attorney. If the authority requires personal presence, we will let you know in advance.
What to do now
- Gather what you have: the name of the municipality and cemetery, year of burial, type of grave (coffin or urn), and the death certificate.
- Write down who in the family arranged the funeral and under whose name the plot is registered.
- Call us. We will find out what your specific municipality and the permitting authority say about exhumation, and we will prepare the applications. For details on body transport, see the page repatriation of remains from Liechtenstein.
We work 24/7, and are also available on Viber, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
Sources
- Gemeinde Vaduz: Friedhofordnung (2. Revision 26.03.2024) mit Anhang Kostenregelung
- Gemeinde Vaduz: Formular Grabauflösung
- Gemeinde Schaan: Friedhof-Ordnung, Stand 20.06.2023
- Gemeinde Balzers: Bestattungsmöglichkeiten (Friedhofsinfo)
- Landesverwaltung Liechtenstein: Beerdigung
- Landesverwaltung Liechtenstein: Erhältliche Dokumente (Todesschein international CHF 30)
- Lilex: LGBl. 1987.060, Übereinkommen zur Befreiung ausländischer öffentlicher Urkunden von der Beglaubigung
- Lilex: LGBl. 2026.312, Kundmachung der aufgrund des Zollvertrages anwendbaren schweizerischen Rechtsvorschriften (SR 0.818.61, 0.818.62)
- Embassy of Ukraine in the Swiss Confederation and in the Principality of Liechtenstein (concurrently)
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