Repatriation abroad — we bring your loved one home
We arrange the repatriation of the deceased from Germany to their home country: documents, consulate, flight and handover at the destination — all from a single source, at a fixed price in writing.
What we take care of
Everything we can handle for you, we do
A repatriation abroad involves authorities in two countries. We coordinate everything — you have one contact person who speaks your language.
- Collection from the place of death — hospital, care home or home
- Hygienic care through vetted local partners
- Death certificate, Leichenpass (corpse passport) and apostille
- Coordination with the public health office and the consulate of the destination country
- Transport coffin to airline requirements
- Flight booking and handover at the destination airport
- Onward transport to the cemetery via partner funeral homes in the destination country
How it works
Five steps to the home country
First call
Around the clock, free of charge. We clarify the destination, coffin or urn, and dates.
Collection
We collect the deceased and arrange the preparation.
Documents
Certificates, Leichenpass, apostille, consular clearance.
Transport
Air freight or by road — depending on the country and current situation.
Handover
At the destination, to the family or the partner funeral home.
Coffin or urn
Which repatriation is right for your family?
Coffin repatriation
For burial in the home country. The deceased travels in a transport coffin as air freight. More documents and higher costs — yet for many families, for religious reasons, the only right way.
Cost of a coffin repatriation →
Urn repatriation
After cremation in Germany. Considerably less expensive and with fewer formalities — the urn travels securely packed by air freight or courier.
More on urn repatriation →Destination countries
Where we repatriate to
Procedure, documents and particulars for each country are on the country pages.
From Germany abroad
Ukrainecoffin & urn
Russiacoffin & urn
Kazakhstancoffin & urn
Uzbekistancoffin & urn
Georgiacoffin & urn
Armeniacoffin & urn
Azerbaijancoffin & urn
Polandcoffin & urn
Serbiacoffin & urn
USAcoffin & urn
Repatriation to Germany
Cyprus
Turkey
EgyptCosts
How much does a repatriation abroad cost?
There is no flat rate — but there is a fixed price for your case before you commit. It depends mainly on:
- destination country and flight connection
- coffin or urn
- consular and official fees
- translations and certifications
- transport in the destination country to the cemetery
Fixed price within a few hours
Tell us the place of death and the destination — you will receive a written quote, free and without obligation.
One contact person — from the first call to the burial
For over 20 years, Rudolf Nordheimer and his team have personally supervised repatriations abroad. You can reach us around the clock, in German, Russian, Ukrainian and English.
- A dedicated contact person instead of a call centre
- Our own staff in Germany and Cyprus, partners in the destination countries
- Price in writing upfront, with no additional charges
Frequently asked questions
Questions about repatriation abroad
How long does a repatriation abroad take?
In many cases three to seven working days. The decisive factors are the destination country, the consulate’s requirements, the issuing of documents and the flight connection.
Which documents are required?
Usually the international death certificate, the Leichenpass (corpse passport), for urns the cremation certificate, a certificate of no objection and permits from the destination country. We obtain everything for you.
Who pays the costs — does insurance cover it?
Usually the relatives or the estate bear the costs. Some travel or funeral insurance policies cover part of it — check your policy; we issue the necessary receipts.
Do I have to fly with the deceased?
No. The deceased travels as air freight. Relatives can travel on the same flight if they wish — we coordinate the dates.
Is it possible at the weekend?
Our phone is staffed around the clock. Authorities and consulates only work on weekdays — we prepare everything at the weekend so that things can continue without delay on Monday.
We are here for you now
Call us — even at night. We will tell you what needs to be done now.
Guide
More on repatriation
Zinc-lined coffin for repatriation: requirement, costs, exceptions
When a soldered zinc-lined coffin is mandatory — and when it is not.
Read more →
§ 74 SGB XII: does the social welfare office pay for repatriation abroad?
What the welfare office covers — and what relatives pay themselves.
Read more →
A relative died while visiting Germany: what to do?
First steps, documents and what travel insurance pays.
Read more →