Should the deceased be repatriated in a coffin or as an urn? Almost every family faces this question — usually in the first days after the death, when there is little energy for long deliberation. This article sets out both options side by side: cost, timing, documents, farewell and faith.
The comparison at a glance
| Coffin | Urn | |
|---|---|---|
| Transport cost | higher: zinc-lined coffin, soldering, freight | about half |
| Additional costs | — | cremation and second examination |
| Documents | including corpse passport, sealing certificate | death certificate, cremation certificate |
| Zinc-lined coffin | practically always | not needed |
| Time in Germany | documents, then transport | plus crematorium appointment |
| Farewell at an open coffin | only before sealing | before cremation |
| Burial at destination | in the ground | urn grave or columbarium, depending on local law |
Cost: why an urn is cheaper
For a coffin, the main cost items are the soldered zinc-lined coffin, sealing in the presence of the public health office, a pressure-equalisation valve for flights and the high freight weight. None of this applies to an urn, which is why urn repatriation usually costs about half.
An urn does add cremation and the second official examination of the body required in most federal states — generally a few hundred euros. Overall the urn remains considerably cheaper. Guide prices by destination are on the page repatriation costs; what makes the zinc-lined coffin expensive is explained in “Zinc-lined coffin for repatriation abroad”.
Timing: an urn is not automatically faster
Many people expect things to move faster with an urn. That is only partly true. Cremation requires a second official examination of the body and a crematorium appointment, and — where the cause of death is unexplained — the public prosecutor’s release as well. The transport afterwards is simpler, as no corpse passport, soldering or coffin freight booking is needed.
As a result, both options often take a similar amount of time. What usually decides the timeline is not coffin or urn but the paperwork: the death certificate, releases and consular requirements.
Farewell: what to consider beforehand
In many families from Eastern Europe and Central Asia it is customary to say goodbye at home at an open coffin. With coffin repatriation this is generally not possible: the soldered zinc-lined coffin also remains closed in the destination country.
If the family wishes to see the deceased one last time, this needs to be planned in Germany — before the coffin is sealed or before cremation. Let us know early and we will arrange the farewell, usually without adding a day.
Faith and tradition
- Islam: cremation is not permitted. Burial as soon as possible matters — which favours a well-prepared coffin repatriation.
- Judaism: traditionally, cremation is not permitted.
- Orthodox churches: the Russian Orthodox Church does not recommend cremation but does not forbid it where there is no alternative. Other Orthodox churches take a similarly reserved view.
- Catholic Church: cremation is permitted, but burial is preferred. The ashes should be interred, not scattered or kept at home.
- Protestant churches: cremation is generally accepted.
If you are unsure, ask a member of the clergy before deciding. Cremation cannot be undone.
How to decide together
- What would the deceased have wanted? Is there a written funeral directive or were wishes expressed?
- What does the family’s faith say?
- Do relatives in the home country wish to say goodbye at the coffin?
- Where will the grave be, and does the cemetery allow urn burial?
- What budget is available, and is there insurance?
How an urn can legally leave Germany is explained in “Repatriating an urn from Germany”.
Frequently asked questions
Call us — we will cost out both options
Tell us where the deceased is to be taken. We will give you a fixed price and a realistic timeline for both coffin and urn, so the family can decide calmly. Around the clock, in English, German, Russian and Ukrainian.
- Call back within one hour
- Written fixed price within a few hours
- Around the clock, in four languages
A first conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
This article gives a general overview and does not replace legal or pastoral advice. The law of the destination country and the requirements of the authorities are decisive.
