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- Exhumation is authorized by the Burials Regulatory Unit (BRU) of the Environmental Health Directorate.
- Exhumation is possible no earlier than two years after burial. This applies to both private and common graves.
- For government cemeteries, a declaration signed by the grave owners is required.
- For repatriation, the remains are placed in a soldered inner coffin made of lead or zinc, which is then placed inside a wooden one. Packing is supervised by the Port Health Services, and their fee is €64.
- Our exhumation costs from €500 plus the cost of transport from Malta. 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
According to official explanations from the Maltese Environmental Health Directorate, the family or a funeral director applies to the BRU for exhumation. At government cemeteries, a key role is played by the grave owners: they are the ones who sign the Declaration for the use of a grave inside Government cemeteries. Without it, no work is carried out.
Sometimes the grave owner has passed away and no one has transferred the ownership rights. In that case, the BRU first asks for proof that the person claiming to be the owner actually has the right to it. For inheritance transfers, the BRU lists the required documents: a letter from a notary or heirs, the owner's death certificate, a will search, a copy of the will, and the inheritance document (causa mortis). This can take time, so we clarify the ownership issue as the very first step.
Private or common grave
At government cemeteries, burials take place either in a private owned grave or in a common grave. For a burial in a common grave, an owners' declaration is not required. For an exhumation from a private grave, the BRU requires a declaration signed by the owners. We find out which type of grave the person is to be removed from using the cemetery records.
The BRU itself lists the reasons why remains are exhumed: lack of space, a request to rebury in another grave, or repatriation. Transport to Ukraine falls under the last category.
If the family is in Ukraine, there is usually no need to travel to Malta. We work with a local funeral home and prepare the documents, while you sign a power of attorney. If one of you is registered as the grave owner, your specific signature may be required on the declaration.
Law and permits
Who does what:
- Burials Regulatory Unit (BRU). A unit of the Environmental Health Directorate within the Superintendence of Public Health. It issues permits for burial, exhumation, and the transfer of remains at government cemeteries, and prepares documents for repatriation. Disturbing human remains, including ashes, without a permit is illegal.
- Port Health Services, Health Inspectorate. Supervises the exhumation for repatriation and the packing process, and issues a certificate stating that the remains can be safely transported.
There are several government cemeteries in Malta, the largest of which is Santa Maria Addolorata in Paola. There are also private and church cemeteries. The BRU inspects them, and we clarify the specific procedures with the administration of the particular cemetery.
Official websites do not state how long the BRU takes to review an application. We check this with the local authority.
When it is possible
Two years after burial
The official rule is that exhumation is carried out no earlier than two years after burial, regardless of whether it is a private or common grave. For government cemeteries, the BRU specifies: two years from the last burial in that grave. If someone was recently buried in a family grave, you will have to wait longer.
Season
We found no seasonal restrictions on the official websites. We clarify this individually.
Urn
The BRU explicitly states that cremated remains cannot be disturbed without a permit either. Therefore, removing an urn from a grave also requires a permit. A cremation certificate is required to bury ashes.
How the exhumation works
Exhumation for repatriation is carried out under the supervision of the Port Health Services. The remains are placed in a soldered inner coffin made of lead or zinc, or another material approved by the Directorate for repatriation. This coffin is placed inside a wooden one, and the wooden coffin is further wrapped in canvas so that the contents are not visible. We use an airtight metal coffin for transport that meets these requirements.
According to local practice, the original documents are sealed in an envelope and handed over to the aircraft captain or ship master. Copies are attached to the outer packaging.
The family should know that opening the coffin to view the body is usually not allowed in Malta, as stated by the Directorate. If a viewing is important, we will discuss this before packing.
Whether remains can be cremated in Malta after exhumation is something we clarify separately.
Documents for repatriation to Ukraine
According to the Environmental Health Directorate's list, the following are required for exhumed remains:
- Certificate of Death;
- BRU permit (Burial Permit);
- a certificate from the Port Health Services stating that the remains can be safely transported.
Malta and Ukraine are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, so Maltese documents are apostilled, and we translate them into Ukrainian. Ukraine is represented in Malta by the Embassy of Ukraine in Italy (concurrently). We coordinate the accompanying border documents with them. The general list is on the documents page.
Reburial in Ukraine
A new burial in Ukraine requires a permit from the executive body of the local council at the place of the new burial. Submit the Ukrainian part in parallel with the Maltese part.
How much exhumation costs in Malta
Officially, the following is known: the Port Health Services charge €64 for supervision during working hours, under regulation L.N. 148 of 1998 as amended. This fee covers supervision only. An additional fee may apply outside of working hours. The BRU also charges a fee for the exhumation itself, but the amount is not listed on the official website. Cemetery work, a new coffin, apostille, and translations are paid for separately.
Our exhumation costs from €500 plus the cost of transport (repatriation) from Malta. We calculate the exact amount based on 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 cemetery, year of burial, and grave owner | 1–3 days |
| Power of attorney, owners' declaration, documents | 1–2 weeks (longer if grave ownership needs to be transferred) |
| BRU permit | we clarify with the BRU |
| Exhumation, supervised packing, documents, apostille | 1–2 weeks |
| Transport to Ukraine | a few days |
| Reburial in Ukraine | as agreed with the cemetery |
Timelines depend on government authorities beyond our control.
Frequently asked questions
How long after burial can an exhumation be done in Malta?
No earlier than two years. At government cemeteries, the two years are counted from the last burial in that grave.
Who issues the permit?
The Burials Regulatory Unit, a unit of the Environmental Health Directorate. Packing for repatriation is supervised by the Port Health Services.
How much does exhumation cost in Malta?
Supervision by the Port Health Services costs €64 during working hours. The BRU fee for exhumation is not officially listed, so we clarify it directly. Our exhumation costs from €500 plus transport to Ukraine.
What should we do if the grave owner has died?
First, transfer the rights to the grave through inheritance or donation. The BRU will not permit any work without proof that the applicant has the right to the grave.
Can an urn be removed from a grave?
Yes, but also with a permit: disturbing cremated remains without one is prohibited in Malta.
Do I need to travel to Malta?
Usually not. We work via power of attorney. If your signature is required as the grave owner, we will let you know in advance.
What to do now
- Find what you have: the name of the cemetery, grave number, date of burial, death certificate, and the grave deed.
- Find out who is registered as the grave owner and whether they are alive. If not, find the will and inheritance documents.
- Call us. We will contact the BRU and organize the exhumation and packing. Read more about transporting a body on the repatriation of a body from Malta page.
We work 24/7, and are also available on Viber, WhatsApp, and Telegram.
Sources
- Environmental Health Directorate: Burials Regulatory Unit
- Environmental Health Directorate: FAQs, Repatriation of Human Remains and Ashes (exhumed remains, documents, €64 fee)
- HCCH: Apostille Convention, status table
- Embassy of Ukraine in the Italian Republic, in the Republic of Malta and in the Republic of San Marino (concurrently)
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