Call +380 77 882 77 77Ask about exhumation
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- The application (žiadosť o exhumáciu) is submitted to the cemetery operator (prevádzkovateľ pohrebiska). It is filed by the person who arranged the funeral, or if they have passed away, by a close person.
- The resting period (tlecia doba) in Slovakia is at least 10 years. Before that, you need an opinion from the Regional Public Health Authority (RÚVZ).
- If the person had a dangerous infectious disease at the time of death, the law prohibits exhumation.
- To take a coffin abroad, a laissez-passer for a corpse (pas pre mŕtvolu) is required. It is issued by the self-governing region (samosprávny kraj).
- Our exhumation service starts from €500 plus transport from Slovakia. No upfront payment 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
The Funeral Services Act (§ 19 par. 7) names three possible applicants. First: the person who arranged the funeral (obstarávateľ pohrebu). Second: a close person (blízka osoba), if the funeral organizer is no longer alive. Third: the municipality (obec), if it arranged the funeral. Separately, a judge or prosecutor can order an exhumation, but that is not our case.
In practice, the cemetery also looks at the grave lease agreement (nájomná zmluva). If the grave lessee is a different person from the applicant, it is better to have their written consent. This reduces the chance of refusal.
If the Family Lives in Ukraine
You do not have to travel to Slovakia. You issue a power of attorney, we pass the documents to our partners in Slovakia, and they submit the application and make arrangements with the cemetery. Documents from Ukraine are translated into Slovak for the Slovak authorities. We check with the cemetery before applying to see what exact format they want for the power of attorney.
The Law and Permits
Everything is set out in Act No. 131/2010 Z. z. on Funeral Services (zákon o pohrebníctve). Section 19 is dedicated to exhumation.
The application is submitted to the operator of the cemetery where the person rests. Usually, this is a city or village municipality or its municipal company. In Bratislava, for example, city cemeteries are managed by Marianum. By law, you must attach the following to the application:
- an opinion from the Regional Public Health Authority (vyjadrenie regionálneho úradu verejného zdravotníctva), if the resting period has not yet passed;
- the death certificate (úmrtný list);
- a lease agreement for a plot at another cemetery where the remains will be reburied;
- details of the funeral service that will transport the remains.
The requirement for a lease agreement was written for reburials within Slovakia. For Ukraine, we prepare a certificate from the Ukrainian cemetery confirming the burial plot. We check with the cemetery operator whether that specific cemetery will accept it instead of a lease agreement.
The exhumation itself is carried out by the cemetery operator (§ 17). If they refuse, the law states that the dispute is decided by a court (§ 19 par. 9).
The law does not set a deadline for reviewing the application. Getting the RÚVZ opinion also takes time. We do not promise exact days until we see the cemetery details and the documents.
When Exhumation Is Possible in Slovakia
By law, the resting period (tlecia doba) is at least 10 years, depending on the soil (§ 19 par. 3). The exact period for each cemetery is written in its operating rules (prevádzkový poriadok pohrebiska). If the remains have not decomposed after this period, it must be extended.
Importantly, exhumation before 10 years is not prohibited. You simply need to attach the RÚVZ opinion to your application.
There is one strict ban. Section 4 of the law prohibits exhuming the remains of a person who was infected with a dangerous disease at the time of death. This is visible from the medical examination certificate or the death notification. That is why we check the medical part of the documents first.
We found no seasonal bans in the law. We check with the cemetery operator to see if a specific cemetery has its own restrictions by month.
An urn with ashes is simpler than a coffin: there are no sanitary risks. However, § 19 does not contain separate rules for urns, so we clarify the procedure for an urn directly with the cemetery.
How the Exhumation Takes Place
The cemetery operator carries out the exhumation on the scheduled day. The funeral service that will transport the remains must also be there: its details are listed in the application. The family may be present if the cemetery allows it.
The remains are placed into a transport coffin. For transport to Ukraine, we use a hermetically sealed metal coffin that meets international transport requirements. The law also requires the coffin to be marked with the deceased's details so it cannot be mixed up.
Cremation after exhumation is possible in Slovakia: the price list of the Bratislava crematorium includes a separate service for "cremation of exhumed remains". In that case, an urn is brought to Ukraine, which is cheaper and simpler. We can discuss together whether this option suits you.
Documents for Transport to Ukraine
Pas pre mŕtvolu
For the international transport of a body or remains, Slovakia issues a laissez-passer for a corpse (pas pre mŕtvolu). Under § 7 of the law, it is issued by the self-governing region (samosprávny kraj). If the person had a dangerous disease, it is issued by the RÚVZ. If an autopsy was performed, it is issued by the Healthcare Surveillance Authority. If the transport falls under an international agreement signed by Slovakia, the rules of that agreement apply (§ 7 par. 2). We check whether this applies to your route for each specific case.
Embassy of Ukraine
The Consular Section of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Slovak Republic in Bratislava can advise which documents are required to bring the remains into Ukraine. We provide a full list of documents to each family individually.
Apostille and Translation
Slovakia and Ukraine are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. An apostille on a death certificate is issued by the district office (okresný úrad) that oversees the registry office (matričný úrad). An official guide from the Ministry of the Interior of Slovakia lists a fee of €10 per document. We also arrange the translation.
Reburial in Ukraine
Ukraine requires its own permit. Reburial is approved by the executive committee of the local council at the new burial place. We arrange this permit together with the family.
It is best to arrange the cemetery plot in Ukraine before submitting the application in Slovakia. Both cemeteries will need the plot certificate. To see how we transport a coffin or urn, read our page on body transport from Slovakia.
How Much It Costs
Each cemetery sets its own prices. As an example, here is the price list for Marianum, the city cemeteries of Bratislava, valid from 1 August 2026 (prices include VAT):
| Service (in Slovak) | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Exhumácia počas tlecej doby (do 10 rokov) | exhumation under 10 years | €846.74 |
| Exhumácia po tlecej dobe (viac ako 10 rokov) | exhumation after 10 years | €362.90 |
| Exhumácia dieťaťa (do / po 10 rokoch) | exhumation of a child | €314.52 / €145.16 |
| Exhumácia ľudských ostatkov z hrobky | exhumation from a vault | €665.31 |
| Spopolnenie exhumovaných ostatkov v rakve | cremation of exhumed remains | €166.05 |
According to the price list, the exhumation price includes digging and refilling the grave. The RÚVZ opinion, pas pre mŕtvolu, apostille, translation, transport coffin, and the transport itself are paid separately. Other cemeteries have their own prices, which we request for your specific case.
Our price: exhumation from €500 plus the cost of transport (repatriation) from Slovakia. We calculate the exact amount for your situation. No upfront payment for transport: payment is made after handover under the contract.
How Long It Takes: From the First Call to the Funeral
| Stage | Estimated time |
|---|---|
| Consultation, power of attorney, death certificate | 1–2 weeks |
| Plot certificate in Ukraine | 1–2 weeks (in parallel) |
| RÚVZ opinion (if under 10 years) | several weeks |
| Cemetery application review and exhumation date | from several weeks |
| Pas pre mŕtvolu, apostille | 1–2 weeks |
| Transport to Ukraine | 1–3 days |
| Executive committee permit and burial | 1–3 weeks |
Timelines are approximate. Most of it depends on the cemetery and the RÚVZ. We will tell you honestly where things stand at every stage.
Frequently asked questions
How many years after burial can an exhumation be done in Slovakia?
The law does not set a minimum period. However, if the resting period (at least 10 years) has not passed, an opinion from the Regional Public Health Authority must be attached to the application.
Who submits the application for exhumation?
The person who arranged the funeral. If they are no longer alive, a close person. The application is submitted to the cemetery operator.
Do we need to travel to Slovakia?
No. A power of attorney is enough. Our local partners submit the documents.
How much does exhumation cost in Slovakia?
In Bratislava, from 1 August 2026, exhumation after 10 years costs €362.90, and under 10 years costs €846.74. Other cemeteries have their own prices. Our work starts from €500 plus transport.
Can the remains be cremated and brought back in an urn?
Yes, in Bratislava this is a separate service at the crematorium. It is often simpler and cheaper than transporting a coffin.
What happens if the cemetery refuses?
By law, the dispute is decided by a court. It is better not to let it get to that point: we check the documents and the cemetery's conditions in advance.
What to Do Now
- Call us and tell us where the person is buried: city, cemetery, year of burial.
- Find the death certificate and the grave lease agreement, if you have one.
- Decide who in the family will submit the application, and issue a power of attorney.
- 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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Sources
- Zákon č. 131/2010 Z. z. o pohrebníctve, znenie od 15.07.2026 (§ 4, § 7, § 17, § 19, § 29)
- Marianum, Cenník služieb na pohrebiskách hl. mesta SR Bratislavy, platný od 1.8.2026
- Ministerstvo vnútra SR, Okresný úrad Poprad: Manuál overovania verejných listín APOSTILLE
- HCCH, Apostille Convention status table
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