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DocumentsWhich documents a coffin repatriation requires
The paperwork determines how quickly a coffin can travel. We obtain it for you – here you can see which documents exist and what they are for.
Rudolf Nordheimer and team – in German, Russian or English.
The most important documents
| Document | Issued by | When needed |
|---|---|---|
| Body passport | Local public order office | Always, whenever the coffin crosses a national border |
| Death certificate | Civil registry office (Standesamt) at the place of death | Always; for use abroad often as an international, multilingual certificate |
| Medical certificate of death | Doctor, with an entry by the civil registry office | Basis for the death certificate and body passport |
| Release | Public prosecutor | In cases of unnatural or unexplained death |
| Certificate of preparation and soldering | Funeral director | For air freight and many destination countries |
| Apostille or legalisation | Competent authority, depending on the country | If the destination country or a German authority requires it |
| Consular confirmation | Consulate of the destination country | Depending on the country, e.g. often required for CIS countries |
- Death certificatefrom the civil registry office (Standesamt), often as an international (multilingual) certificate for use abroad
- Body passportfrom the local public order office – mandatory as soon as the coffin crosses a border
- Medical certificate of deathfrom the doctor, with an entry by the civil registry office
- Certificate of preparation and solderingconfirms hygienic preparation and the tightly sealed zinc liner
- Release by the public prosecutoronly in the case of an unnatural or unexplained death
- Documents for the consulatedepending on the destination country, e.g. certification, translation or apostille
- Death certificate from the country of deathmultilingual if possible, otherwise with a certified translation
- Legalisation or apostillerequired by many countries and German authorities for foreign certificates
- Body passport or comparable documentmust accompany the coffin on entry into Germany
- Medical certificateon the cause of death or confirming that there are no objections to transport
- Certificate of embalming and solderingrequired by airlines for air freight
- Passport of the deceasedusually needed for export, the consulate and registration
Body passport and the Berlin Agreement
A coffin may only cross the German border with a body passport (Leichenpass). It is issued by the local public order office under the burial law of the respective federal state.
Germany is a party to the International Agreement on the Transport of Corpses of 1937 (the "Berlin Agreement"), together with countries such as Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. For other countries, we clarify the consulate's requirements.
Foreign certificates often need an apostille or legalisation. For the death certificate, a multilingual, international version is recommended.
Sources: German Federal Foreign Office – States party to the Berlin Agreement (PDF) · German Federal Foreign Office – Consular assistance · European Consumer Centre – Death abroad
Frequently asked questions
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All questionsWhat is a body passport and who issues it?
The body passport (Leichenpass) is the official accompanying document for a deceased person being transferred across a national border. In Germany, it is issued by the local public order office at the place of death, in accordance with the funeral law of the respective federal state. Among other things, the medical certificate of death and the death certificate are required for it. A coffin coming to Germany from abroad must also be accompanied by a body passport or a comparable document. We apply for the body passport on your behalf.
Which documents are needed for repatriation abroad?
As a rule, you need the death certificate – often as an international, multilingual certificate for use abroad – the doctor’s medical certificate of death, the body passport and a certificate of preparation and soldering of the coffin. In the case of an unnatural or unexplained death, release by the public prosecutor is also required. Many destination countries also require documents for the consulate, translations or an apostille. We obtain all documents for you; you only sign what is necessary.
Do I need an apostille or certification?
Often, yes. Many countries only recognise German certificates with an apostille or legalisation, and conversely, German authorities frequently require this confirmation for foreign death certificates. Which form is needed depends on the country concerned. We clarify this with the consulate and also take care of certified translations.
Is cremation in Germany possible after repatriation?
Yes. For a cremation, the authorities require additional documents depending on the federal state, such as a further medical examination and confirmation from the authority. We clarify this in advance with the local funeral director so that there is no delay after arrival.
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.