Frequently asked questions about coffin repatriation

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.

For repatriation from abroad, too, the price is determined by the route, the flight connection and the documents of the country of death. On top of that come the services of the local funeral director, such as care, embalming and coffin, as well as translations and certifications. Always get local costs in writing before you sign a contract. We obtain the quotes, review them with you and give you a written fixed price for the entire repatriation.

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.

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.

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.

First, a doctor confirms the death and issues the medical certificate of death. After that, you can call us directly – day or night. We collect the deceased, apply for the death certificate at the civil registry office (Standesamt) and the body passport (Leichenpass) at the local public order office, clarify the consulate's requirements in the destination country and arrange the coffin, preparation and transport. As a rule, all you need for this is the deceased's identity card or passport and, if available, their birth or marriage certificate. We will tell you exactly what is missing in our first conversation.

The duration depends mainly on how quickly the documents are available: death certificate, body passport, releases and, where applicable, confirmation from the consulate. Within Europe, the coffin is on the road in the funeral transport vehicle for one to a few days, depending on the route. With air freight, flight connections also play a role. An example from our reviews: for a repatriation from Munich to Novosibirsk, the burial was possible on the fourth day. It is not always that quick – after our first conversation we will tell you what you can realistically expect.

Call us and inform the German embassy or consulate in the country where the death occurred. Check whether travel or international health insurance, a credit card or funeral expenses insurance covers the repatriation, and report the case to them early. Do not sign any contract locally before the costs are in writing. Keep the passport, medical reports and police certificates safe – photos are enough for now. We talk to the hospital, the authorities and the local funeral director, even if you don’t speak the local language, and organise the repatriation to Germany.

Both are possible. Within Europe – for example to Poland, the Baltic states, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Bulgaria or Ukraine – a funeral transport vehicle often drives door to door without reloading, and this is frequently cheaper. To the CIS countries, to Africa – for example Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon or the Democratic Republic of the Congo – to Asia – for example Thailand, Vietnam or the Philippines – or to the Americas, the coffin travels as air freight in an air transport crate and is collected at the destination airport. Which route makes sense depends on the destination, time frame and budget. If both are possible, we calculate both options for you.

The coffin travels as freight in the aircraft’s cargo hold. Relatives can usually fly as passengers on the same aircraft if the connection allows. We clarify this when booking, so that you arrive at the destination airport together with the coffin and can be present at the handover.

No. The deceased may only be transferred by licensed funeral companies. Airlines also only accept coffin bookings from funeral directors and specialised forwarders, not from private individuals. We handle the entire transport and keep you informed throughout.

Yes. A farewell at the open coffin is possible before it is closed and soldered – in Germany or, depending on your wishes and the condition of the deceased, at the destination. Let us know early, and we will plan the time and space for it. We are also happy to organise a funeral service before departure.

For cross-border repatriations, usually yes. The European Agreement on the Transfer of Corpses requires an impermeable coffin: a wooden coffin with a tightly soldered zinc liner, absorbent lining and, for air freight, a pressure-equalisation device with a filter. Airlines also only accept hermetically sealed coffins. We provide a transfer coffin that meets these requirements.

The air transport crate is a wooden transport box in which the coffin travels as air freight. It protects the coffin during loading and ensures that it is not immediately recognisable as a coffin in the cargo area. At the destination, the coffin is taken out of the crate and handed over to the family or funeral director.

That depends on the route, the airline and the destination country. For air freight and long journeys, airlines often require a certificate of embalming or of hygienic preparation and soldering. We clarify in advance what is needed in your case and tell you before any costs arise.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There are two options. Either the urn travels sealed as air freight, in which case we take care of freight documents, customs and import. Or a relative takes the urn on board the plane; in that case we prepare the documents and they travel with the relative. Whether the urn can be taken on board depends on the federal state, the destination country and the airline. We clarify this in advance.

With many airlines yes, but not with all. Ask the airline beforehand and ideally get the permission confirmed in writing. The urn should be made of an X-ray-transparent material such as wood, cardboard or plastic, as it must not be opened at the security check. The original death certificate and cremation certificate belong in your hand luggage. Allow extra time for the security check.

As a rule, the death certificate – often in an international, multilingual version – the crematorium’s cremation certificate and the funeral director’s confirmation of the urn’s contents. Depending on the federal state, proof of where the urn will be buried abroad is required. Many destination countries, for example in the CIS, additionally require an apostille or legalisation and certified translations. We put the documents together for you.

Because of mandatory cemetery burial (Friedhofszwang): in Germany, urns must in principle be buried in a cemetery and generally may not be kept privately. Exceptions exist only in individual federal states, such as Bremen. For this reason, the crematorium and authorities often only release an urn for abroad once it is certain where it will be buried – for example with confirmation from a cemetery.

Yes. This usually requires the foreign death certificate with apostille or legalisation, the cremation certificate, the funeral director’s confirmation of the urn’s contents and the deceased’s passport; some German missions abroad also issue an urn certificate. Because of mandatory cemetery burial, a funeral director must receive the urn in Germany – we take care of this and, if you wish, organise the burial.

With us, an urn transfer starts from €850. The exact price depends on the destination country, the mode of transport and the documents required, such as apostille and translations. After a short conversation, you receive a written fixed price listing every item.

Yes, the CIS countries and Eastern Europe are our focus. We have partner funeral directors in Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Poland and Serbia. For countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan or Russia, the consulates often require their own confirmations and translated documents; we know the procedures and advise you in German, Russian or English. We arrange other countries worldwide through consulates and specialised partners.

Yes. You can reach us 24/7 on +49 1511 7463888, also via WhatsApp. A death does not keep to office hours – that is why we take calls at night, at weekends and on public holidays too, and set the repatriation in motion straight away.

In German, Russian and English. We speak with authorities, hospitals and funeral directors abroad in the local language or in English, so you do not have to deal with foreign offices yourself.

Yes. We collect the deceased throughout Germany – from hospitals, care homes, private homes and forensic medicine institutes. The website is operated by irespect LTD, based in Paphos, Cyprus.

Yes. As a trade service for funeral homes, we handle repatriation abroad or repatriation to Germany – including documents, consulate, transfer coffin and freight. The family remains your client, and you decide how to pass on our service.