Repatriation to Turkey
We repatriate the deceased from Germany to Turkey — in a coffin as air cargo to Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya or Adana and on to the home town, or by road if the family prefers. We obtain the certificate of the Turkish consulate general and the corpse passport, and arrange the ritual washing through our partners.
Available around the clock · Collection usually the same day · Fixed price within a few hours · English, German, Russian, Ukrainian
What does it cost?
Repatriation to Turkey — guide prices
Most repatriations from Germany to Turkey go by air cargo: Turkey’s major airports are well connected to Germany, and the journey is far shorter than by road. Transport by funeral vehicle through the Balkans is also possible but takes several days.
Services
What we take care of
From collection in Germany to handover in the home town in Turkey — one contact, one invoice. For the opposite direction, see repatriation from Turkey.
Coffin & urn repatriation
By air cargo to Turkey’s major cargo airports such as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya and Adana, or by funeral vehicle on request.
Consular certificate
The competent Turkish consulate general issues the certificate for the transfer (Cenaze Nakil Belgesi). We prepare the appointment and the paperwork.
Corpse passport & death certificate
International death certificate from the registry office (Standesamt), corpse passport (Leichenpass) and proof of the soldered zinc liner.
Washing & funeral prayer
We arrange the ritual washing and the funeral prayer through experienced partners — together with your mosque community if you wish.
Onward transport in Turkey
At the destination airport a partner funeral home takes over and brings the deceased to the cemetery in the home town.
Funds & insurance
We first check with you whether a funeral fund or funeral insurance is responsible, so that no entitlement is lost.
Transparency
What determines the price
For Turkey, three factors matter above all.
Destination and flight connection
Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya and Adana are easy to reach. If the home town is far from the destination airport, for example in eastern or south-eastern Anatolia, road transport is added.
Coffin or urn
Germany and Turkey are both parties to the Berlin Agreement on the transport of corpses: the coffin needs a soldered zinc liner and the German corpse passport is recognised. An urn is considerably cheaper — see the page on urn repatriation abroad.
Time and documents
Many families want the burial to take place quickly. Delays usually come from a weekend or public holiday before the consulate appointment, an ordered autopsy or a pending release by the public prosecutor.
How we work
Guided step by step
From the first call to the burial in Turkey — no trips to authorities for you.
First contact
Tell us where the deceased is and where in Turkey the burial will take place. If he or she was a member of a funeral fund, please notify the fund as well. We give you a fixed price and a realistic schedule.
Documents in Germany
Medical death certificate, international death certificate from the registry office and corpse passport. In the case of an unnatural death, the release of the public prosecutor is also needed.
Consulate, washing, coffin
With these documents we apply to the Turkish consulate general for the transfer certificate. In parallel, our partners carry out the ritual washing and place the deceased in the coffin with zinc liner.
Flight & handover
Booking the air cargo, air waybill and handover at the cargo terminal. In Turkey the partner funeral home takes over and brings the deceased to the cemetery.
Documents
What is required
A repatriation to Turkey usually requires the following documents. We obtain them and coordinate them with the consulate and the airline.
- Medical death certificate (Todesbescheinigung)
- International multilingual death certificate from the registry office
- Corpse passport (Leichenpass) issued by the competent German authority
- Certificate of the Turkish consulate general for the transfer (Cenaze Nakil Belgesi)
- Passport or ID card of the deceased; for Turkish citizens also the Turkish identity card
- Proof of coffining and the soldered zinc liner
- Air waybill
- In the case of an unnatural death: release by the public prosecutor, autopsy report if applicable
- For an urn: cremation certificate (Einäscherungsbescheinigung) and urn passport (Urnenpass)
Good to know
What is specific to a repatriation to Turkey
Prompt burial, ritual washing
In Islamic tradition the deceased is buried as soon as possible, after the washing and the funeral prayer. We arrange both through experienced partners and mosque communities and plan the timing so that no day is lost.
Ask the funeral fund first
Many families belong to a mutual funeral fund, such as the DİTİB fund. Depending on their rules, these funds pay for the transfer, some also for the flight of one companion — but often only through their own contracted funeral home. Check this before instructing anyone.
Cremation is rare
Turkish public health law allows cremation in principle, but no crematorium is operating in the country, and it is uncommon for Muslim families. An urn can be transferred; we clarify beforehand whether and where it may be buried.
Frequently asked questions
What families ask us most often
Which documents are needed for a repatriation to Turkey?
How much does a repatriation from Germany to Turkey cost?
How long does it take?
Does a funeral fund such as the DİTİB fund pay for the transfer?
Who performs the ritual washing?
Can an urn be transferred to Turkey?
Does the death certificate need an apostille?
When it has to be quick
One call is enough
We take over from the first step — around the clock, including Sundays and public holidays. Free initial advice, coordination with the consulate, partners and airline, in English, German, Russian and Ukrainian.
+49 151 17463888Or write to kontakt@ritual-service24.com · Contact form
