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CostsHow much does coffin repatriation cost?
A reliable figure is only possible once the route and the paperwork are clear. That is why we do not quote a teaser price, but a written fixed price.
Rudolf Nordheimer and team – in German, Russian or English.
How your price is calculated
Coffin repatriation costs considerably more than an urn transfer – mainly because of the transfer coffin, preparation, documents and freight. After a short conversation, you receive a written fixed price that lists every item.
Urn instead of coffin? After cremation, the transfer is simpler and less expensive – from €850. More about urn transfer
What the price depends on
- Route and modeBy road within Europe or by air freight worldwide.
- Place of collectionLarge city, rural area, forensic medicine institute.
- DocumentsConsulate, translations, apostille depending on the country.
- Time pressurePublic holidays and urgent cases affect flights and authorities.
- Coffin and preparationTransfer coffin with zinc liner, embalming if required.
What the price covers
- 01
Collection
Hospital, care home, private home, forensic medicine – throughout Germany and via partners abroad.
- 02
Hygienic preparation
Dignified care, with embalming for long journeys if requested.
- 03
Transfer coffin
Coffin with a soldered zinc liner to international standards, in an air transport crate for air freight.
- 04
Documents
Death certificate, body passport, translations, apostille.
- 05
Consulate
Appointments and confirmations at the consulate of the destination country.
- 06
Transport
Funeral transport vehicle within Europe, air freight worldwide – booking, air waybill, handover at the airport.
- 07
Handover at the destination
To the family or funeral director, with a funeral service if requested.
- 08
Support
One contact person who explains every step – in German, Russian or English.
Who pays for the repatriation
The state does not advance repatriation costs – not even in the case of a death abroad.
- Usually
The heirs
By law, the costs of the funeral are borne by the heirs (§ 1968 BGB).
- Often
Insurance
Travel or international health insurance, credit card or funeral expenses insurance – depending on the policy.
- Rarely
The social welfare office
If the costs cannot reasonably be expected of those obliged to pay, the social welfare office (Sozialamt) can cover the necessary costs (§ 74 SGB XII). Whether a repatriation is included is decided case by case.
Sources: § 1968 BGB – Funeral costs · § 74 SGB XII – Burial costs · German Federal Foreign Office – Consular assistance
Frequently asked questions
Your question isn’t here? Call us – we will answer right away.
All questionsHow much does coffin repatriation abroad cost?
The price of a coffin repatriation depends mainly on four things: the route, the mode of transport (funeral transport vehicle or air freight), the documents required by the destination country, and the place of collection. On top of that come the transfer coffin with a soldered zinc liner, hygienic preparation and, for air freight, the air transport crate and freight charges. A coffin repatriation therefore costs considerably more than an urn transfer. A reliable price can only be given once the route and paperwork are clear. We give you a free, written fixed price in advance, listing every item separately – with no extra charges later.
Who pays for the repatriation of the deceased?
Under § 1968 BGB, funeral costs are borne by the heirs – and this usually includes the repatriation. Insurance often steps in: travel or international health insurance, some credit cards and funeral expenses insurance cover the repatriation in full or in part, depending on the policy. If the persons liable cannot reasonably be expected to pay, the social welfare office can cover the necessary funeral costs under § 74 SGB XII; whether this includes a repatriation is decided case by case.
Does insurance cover the cost of repatriation?
That depends on the policy. In the event of a death abroad, many travel and international health insurance policies cover repatriation to Germany, sometimes also credit cards with travel cover. Funeral expenses insurance pays an agreed sum that you can use for the repatriation. Report the death as early as possible, as some insurers want to organise the repatriation themselves or give their approval in advance. You can submit our written fixed price to the insurer.
Is an urn transfer simpler and cheaper?
Yes. After a cremation, there is no need for a transfer coffin with a zinc liner, and the urn can travel as air freight or, in many cases, even in hand luggage. This makes the transfer simpler and considerably cheaper: with us, an urn transfer starts from €850. We are happy to discuss with you whether cremation suits the family’s wishes and the rules of the destination country.
Does the German embassy pay for the repatriation?
No. The German Federal Foreign Office cannot advance repatriation or funeral costs from public funds. However, the German embassy or consulate helps with documents, can name local funeral directors and assists with communication with the local authorities. The costs of repatriation are usually borne by the heirs or an insurer.
We are here for you now
Day and night, including weekends. One call is all it takes to get the repatriation under way.