Ukraine → USA
Repatriation of a body from Ukraine to the USA
Oleg Zdendiak, ownerpersonally responsible for every case “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. We collect the deceased from your town in Ukraine and prepare them for transport to the USA. We obtain the Ukrainian permits and translations ourselves. In the USA, the deceased is received by the funeral home chosen by the family.
We will call you back within 5 minutes and quote the price once we have confirmed the route.
Get a price- Since 2015 carrying both ways
- Ukrainian company Company code (EDRPOU) 46261246
- Contract with a fixed price
- Own workshop coffins and funeral goods
- 24/7 one number throughout
What the USA requires when a body is brought in
Federal requirements are set out by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and by federal regulation 42 CFR 71.55. The source is linked next to each requirement.
Entry rules differ between states, so we check them for the place of burial.
Permits
- If the person died, or is suspected to have died, of an infectious disease and the body has not been embalmed or cremated, a CDC import permit may be needed. cdc.gov
- Washington State: the remains of a person who died outside the state may be brought in, buried or cremated only if accompanied by a burial-transit permit or another document issued under the laws of the place of death. app.leg.wa.gov
The death certificate and its translation
- Unless the remains are cremated or embalmed, human remains brought in for burial must be accompanied by a death certificate stating the cause of death (CDC requirement). cdc.gov
- If the death certificate is not in English, an English translation must be attached, and a person licensed for legal acts in the country of death, such as a notary, must attest to its authenticity (CDC requirement). cdc.gov
The container for the body
- Under a federal rule (42 CFR 71.55), human remains imported into the United States must be fully contained in a leak-proof container, packed and shipped in line with all applicable legal requirements. ecfr.gov
The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine
When a U.S. citizen dies in Ukraine, the death is reported to the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. This is how the embassy explains its role.
- The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv generally does not arrange the preparation or transport of remains itself; a Ukrainian funeral home usually does. ua.usembassy.gov
- The embassy's American Citizens Services unit works with the funeral home chosen by the family to ensure proper documentation for shipping remains to the United States. ua.usembassy.gov
- The embassy generally asks the next of kin to fill out, notarize and return an Affidavit of Surviving Spouse or Next of Kin, and to confirm the decision on the remains in a letter of instruction. ua.usembassy.gov
The Ukrainian side
We prepare the documents needed to take the body out of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian paperwork is the same for every country; it is all on the page “Repatriation of a body from Ukraine to another country”.
Who receives the deceased in the USA
We arrange the transport and hand the deceased over to the funeral home in the USA that the family chooses.
- Under 42 CFR 71.55, remains imported for burial must be consigned directly to a licensed mortuary, cemetery or crematory. ecfr.gov
We speak Ukrainian, English, Polish and German, so we can make arrangements with the family and all parties in the USA in English.
An urn with ashes
- The CDC leak-proof container requirement does not apply to cremated remains. cdc.gov
- According to the U.S. Embassy, an urn may be shipped only as airline cargo, as Ukrainian law prohibits sending human remains by post. ua.usembassy.gov
We can also take an urn with ashes to the USA. We will give you the price once we have confirmed the route.
The price for your route
Tell us the country. Add your city in Ukraine. Route first, then the price.
Questions about repatriation from Ukraine to the USA
Which death certificate is needed for the USA?
One that states the cause of death, unless the remains are cremated or embalmed (a CDC rule). We take care of the translation.
What kind of coffin is used to send a body from Ukraine?
According to the U.S. Embassy, remains shipped from Ukraine must be in a hermetically sealed zinc casket. (ua.usembassy.gov) We prepare the body and the coffin for the journey.
Why contact the U.S. Embassy?
The death of a U.S. citizen in Ukraine should be reported to the embassy, which issues a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA) needed for legal and estate matters in the United States. (ua.usembassy.gov)
Is a separate state permit needed?
It depends on the state where the burial will take place. In Washington State, for one, remains of a person who died elsewhere need a burial-transit permit or another document issued under the law of the place of death.