Answers at a glance
Frequently asked questions about repatriation
Short answers to the questions families ask us most often, each with a link to the full explanation.
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The first hours
Someone has died — what should we do first?
Only three things are genuinely urgent: call a doctor so the medical certificate of death can be issued, instruct a funeral director to collect the deceased, and tell the family. Everything else — registry office, consulate, transport — can start the next day.
Do relatives have to travel from abroad?
No. A power of attorney is enough. We handle all dealings with the authorities, the consulate, the airline and the funeral director at the destination, and keep you informed at every important step.
What if the death occurred on holiday?
Report the case to the travel insurer as early as possible, if a policy exists — many insurers only pay for a repatriation they have agreed themselves. You can call us at the same time.
Are you available at night and at weekends?
Yes, around the clock, including Sundays and public holidays. The deceased can be collected at any time of day or night.
Costs and payment
What does a repatriation cost?
That depends mainly on the destination. To Poland it starts at around €2,000, to Turkey at €3,500, to the United States at €5,000; to Russia and Central Asia it is usually between €5,500 and €9,500. We confirm the binding fixed price after a short conversation.
What is included in the fixed price?
Collection, hygienic care through our partners, coffin with zinc liner or urn container, all documents, the death certificate, consular certificates, customs clearance, the transport itself and handover at the destination.
Why is urn repatriation cheaper?
Because the zinc-lined coffin, the soldering and most of the freight weight are not needed. It usually costs about half. Cremation and, depending on the federal state, a second examination of the body are added.
Does health insurance pay for the repatriation?
Usually not. Statutory health insurers generally do not cover repatriation costs from abroad, and embassies and consulates bear none either.
What if the money is not enough?
First check whether insurance with repatriation cover exists. If not, an application to the social welfare office remains — but only for the portion that would also have been incurred for a burial at the place of residence.
Documents and authorities
Which documents are needed for a repatriation?
As a rule the death certificate, the medical certificate of death, the corpse passport, a certificate of no objection, proof of coffining and — depending on the destination — consular approval, an apostille and certified translations.
What is a corpse passport?
The document without which no deceased person is transported abroad in a coffin. It goes back to the Berlin Agreement of 1937, accompanies the deceased throughout the journey and is presented at border and customs checks.
Does an urn need a corpse passport too?
No. Other documents apply to an urn, above all the death certificate and the crematorium’s cremation certificate.
Do certificates have to be translated?
Often yes. Many destination countries require a certified translation by a sworn translator, some an apostille as well. We clarify this with the consulate in advance and arrange the translations.
What if documents were issued abroad?
Registry offices often require foreign birth or marriage certificates with a translation and an apostille. This is one of the most common causes of delay — find the originals early.
Process and timing
How long does a repatriation take?
By road within Europe usually four to seven days; by air freight seven to ten. The clock starts when all documents are complete — not on the day of death.
What usually causes hold-ups?
Almost never the transport. It is a missing release from the public prosecutor, a death certificate in the wrong format, a closed consulate or an uncertified translation.
Why is the deceased sometimes not released?
Where the cause of death is unexplained, the police must inform the public prosecutor, whose written approval is then required for the burial. This is standard procedure, not suspicion of the family.
When should the funeral service be scheduled?
Only once the transport is booked. While releases or translations are outstanding, no reliable date can be given.
Can the journey be tracked?
For air freight an air waybill is issued; we pass on its number, the flight number and the estimated arrival. For road transport we report departure and handover.
Coffin, urn and farewell
Is a zinc-lined coffin really mandatory?
For a deceased person transported in a coffin, practically always. For an urn, never — the Berlin Agreement does not apply to ashes.
Can we see the deceased before departure?
Yes, but only before the zinc-lined coffin is soldered. After that it stays closed, including at the destination. Tell us early — we schedule the farewell beforehand, usually without adding a day.
Coffin or urn — which is better?
That is first a question for the family and their faith, and only then one of money. An urn is cheaper and simpler, but cremation is not permitted in Islam or Judaism, and Orthodox churches take a reserved view.
May an urn be kept at home?
In Germany, as a rule, no. Compulsory cemetery burial applies: ashes must be interred in a cemetery or another approved place.
Destinations and specifics
Which countries do you repatriate to?
Among others Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Poland, Serbia, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt and the United States. Further destinations on request.
What applies for a repatriation to Poland?
Two permits are required: the starosta’s permission at the place of burial and, after that, the certificate of the Polish consulate. The decision is taken no later than three days after the application.
What is different about the United States?
The Berlin Agreement does not apply there. The US health authority’s rule and the law of the destination state govern instead. The deceased must be consigned directly to a licensed funeral home — relatives cannot collect the coffin at the airport.
How does it work for Ukraine at the moment?
While the airspace is closed there is no direct air freight. We therefore repatriate by road, which also makes the handover day easier to plan precisely.
What should be borne in mind for the CIS countries?
Each country requires its own consular documents, and the order matters: death certificate and corpse passport first, then the consulate, then transport.
Burial at the destination
Do you also arrange the burial at the destination?
Yes. We work with partner funeral directors who receive the deceased and accompany the burial. There, invoicing is usually handled directly with the family.
Can the burial take place where the death occurred?
Yes. If the family decides on that, we arrange it and tell you openly what both options cost, so you can decide calmly.
What matters if the deceased was a US citizen?
The US consulate issues the Consular Report of Death Abroad. Relatives need it in the United States for banks, insurers and probate — request several certified copies straight away.
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