What does a repatriation to Germany cost?

A coffin repatriation from within Europe to Germany costs around €2,500 – €5,000, from overseas by air freight around €5,000 – €9,500. An urn repatriation after cremation in the country of death costs around €1,500 – €3,500. Travel health insurance often covers the repatriation.

Repatriation to Germany · 24/7

Repatriation to Germany

Q: What should we do first when someone dies on holiday?

Call a repatriation specialist — around the clock, also from abroad. They coordinate the authorities, the consulate and the funeral home in the country of death. If possible, do not sign anything on site before it has been checked — some offers from local providers are heavily overpriced.

Q: Do relatives have to travel abroad themselves?

No. A partner network takes over the deceased on site; all official procedures in the country of death and in Germany are handled by the repatriation company.

When a loved one dies on holiday or while travelling abroad, we bring them home to Germany with dignity — handling all authorities and documents in the country of death. You do not have to travel abroad yourself.

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Available around the clock · Fixed quote within 2 hours · Free of charge, no obligation · German, Russian, Ukrainian, English

Worldwide → Germany · repatriation from many countries

What does it cost?

Repatriation to Germany — the price range

No competitor names figures — we do. The costs depend strongly on the country of death. We will give you a binding fixed quote after a short conversation.

In a coffin · from within Europeby road in our hearse, e.g. from Italy, Spain, the Balkans

€2,500 – €5,000guide price · 2026

In a coffin · from overseas by air freightzinc-lined coffin, complete document chain

€5,000 – €9,500guide price · 2026

As an urnafter cremation in the country of death — lighter and cheaper

€1,500 – €3,500guide price · 2026

Important: When someone dies on holiday, travel health insurance or a credit-card insurance often covers the repatriation. We check this with you and, where possible, settle directly with the insurer.

Call now Request a fixed quote ✓ Fixed quote within 2 hours — including nights and public holidays

Services

What the fixed quote includes

What is written in the quote is what appears on the invoice — from collection abroad to handover in Germany.

Repatriation worldwide

Coffin and urn transport from abroad to Germany — by road or air freight, fully organised.

Authorities in the country of death

Death certificate, release permits, Leichenpass, translations — we coordinate everything with the local authorities and the consulate.

Partner on site

Our partner network takes over the deceased abroad and prepares the repatriation professionally.

Handover at home

We bring the deceased to the funeral home in your home town — or arrange the burial ourselves if you wish.

Help with the insurance

We clarify whether travel or credit-card insurance covers the repatriation and handle the paperwork.

Fixed quote

Free, no-obligation fixed quote within two hours — including nights and public holidays.

Transparency

What determines the price

For a repatriation home, three factors matter most — in order of impact.

Factor 1

The country of death

Distance, the route and the requirements of the local authorities are the biggest item. Within Europe usually by road, from overseas by air freight.

Factor 2

Coffin or urn

A zinc-lined coffin is heavy and needs cargo space. Cremation in the country of death with an urn transport is considerably cheaper.

Factor 3

The insurance

If travel health insurance with a repatriation clause exists, it often covers the costs fully or in part. We check this first.

How we work

Guided step by step

From the first call to the dignified handover in Germany — everything from one source.

First contact & consultation

You call — from Germany or directly from abroad. We clarify the situation on site, the insurance question and the next steps, calmly and in your language.

Authorities in the country of death

Our partner on site takes over the deceased. We obtain the death certificate, release permits, Leichenpass and all consular documents.

Transport to Germany

We arrange road transport or air freight, handle customs and airport processing, and coordinate the schedule with you.

Arrival in Germany

We hand the deceased over to the funeral home of your choice in your home town — or accompany the burial if you wish.

Documents

What is needed

A repatriation to Germany usually requires the following documents. We obtain and check them for you — including in the language of the country of death.

We handle the authorities for you. You neither have to travel abroad nor deal with foreign offices or the consulate yourself.

Death certificate of the country of death, with apostille if required
Medical certificate of death
Leichenpass (laissez-passer for corpses)
Release permit of the local authorities
Certified translations for the German registry office
where required: embalming and sealing of the coffin

Frequently asked

What families often ask us

What should we do first when someone dies on holiday?

Call us — around the clock, also from abroad. We tell you which steps on site are really necessary and take over the coordination with the authorities, the consulate and the funeral home in the country of death. If possible, do not sign anything on site before we have checked it together — some offers from local providers are heavily overpriced.

Does insurance cover the repatriation?

Very often, yes. Travel health insurance with a repatriation clause, many credit cards and some accident insurances cover the transport to Germany. We check the policy or card conditions with you and, where possible, settle directly with the insurer.

Why do you give a range and not a fixed price?

Because the price depends on the country of death: on the distance and the route, the requirements of the local authorities and where the deceased currently is. The range is an honest orientation — the fixed quote follows after a short conversation, free of charge and within two hours.

How long does a repatriation to Germany take?

That depends on the country of death and its authorities. Within Europe, the deceased usually arrives in Germany within a few days of the release; from overseas it takes somewhat longer depending on the approvals. We keep you transparently informed about the timeline.

Do we have to travel abroad ourselves?

No. Our partner network takes over the deceased on site, and we handle all official procedures in the country of death and in Germany. You can reach us at any time — in German, Russian, Ukrainian and English.

When it has to be fast

One call is enough

We take over from the very first step — around the clock, including Sundays and public holidays. Free initial consultation, help with authorities at home and abroad, in English and German.

+49 151 17463888

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Rudolf NordheimerPersonal contact · available 24/7

Personal consultation at Ritual-Service24

Guide

Knowledge that helps families

Answers to the most common questions about international repatriation — from our guide.

Repatriation to Germany

Repatriation to Germany

Repatriation to Germany — the price range