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Caucasus and Middle EastRepatriation to Armenia and repatriation to Germany
Whether for a burial in the family grave in Yerevan, Gyumri or a village in the highlands – or the repatriation of a relative who has died in Armenia: we arrange the repatriation by air freight via Zvartnots Airport, together with our partner funeral director in Armenia.
Rudolf Nordheimer and team – in German, Russian or English.
Armenia at a glance
- Transport route
- Air freight; the land border with Turkey is permanently closed, and an overland route would only be possible via Georgia
- Flight connection
- Air freight from German airports to Yerevan, non-stop or with a transfer depending on the flight schedule
- Destination airport
- Yerevan-Zvartnots (EVN)
- Certificates
- Apostille – Armenia has been a party to the Hague Convention since 1994
- Cremation
- There is no crematorium in Armenia (UK government)
- Representation in Germany
- Embassy in Berlin; honorary consulates in Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Leipzig, Magdeburg and Munich
From Germany to Armenia: burial in the homeland
For many Armenian families in Germany, it is important that the deceased is buried in their native soil and according to the rite of the Armenian Apostolic Church. We collect the deceased anywhere in Germany, take care of preparation and placing in the coffin, and apply for the international body passport (Leichenpass) from the municipality at the place of death. The German death certificate receives an apostille from the competent German authority; legalisation by the Armenian embassy is not required for this.
The coffin travels as air freight, non-stop or with a transfer depending on the flight schedule, to Yerevan-Zvartnots (EVN); we clarify the right connection and freight acceptance when booking. An overland route is hardly an alternative: according to the German Federal Foreign Office, the border between Armenia and Turkey is permanently closed, and entry by land would only be possible via Georgia. At the airport, our partner funeral director takes over the coffin and accompanies it to the cemetery.
If the home town is in a region bordering Azerbaijan, we plan the route with particular care. The German Federal Foreign Office has issued (as of October 2026) a partial travel warning for border areas in Tavush, Gegharkunik, Ararat, Vayots Dzor and Syunik (east of Goris) and advises against using roads near the border. The border there is not fully marked, and there are military restricted zones and a risk of mines.
- Death certificate with apostillefrom the German civil registry office, apostille by the competent German authority
- International body passportfrom the municipality in whose district the death occurred
- Medical certificate of deathmedical certificate, basis for the death certificate and body passport
- Passport of the deceasedArmenian or German passport for identification
Death in Armenia: repatriation to Germany
A death in Armenia is registered with the Civil Status Registration Department; this is usually handled by the local funeral director. An application, the medical certificate of death and an official identity document of the deceased are required. According to the UK government, registration is usually completed on the same day, online in Armenian or in person in Yerevan. The long-form Armenian death certificate states the cause of death.
In the case of an unclear, sudden or violent death, a post-mortem may be ordered. There are mortuaries in Yerevan and larger towns; standards may differ in rural areas. For use in Germany, all certificates issued in Armenia require an apostille – this also applies to the death certificate that the civil registry office here needs, for example for subsequent registration.
To export the body, the Armenian authorities require the death certificate, a permit for the transfer and the deceased's passport. Our partner funeral director in Armenia obtains these documents, arranges the air freight from Yerevan and hands the coffin over to us. In Germany, we take care of the collection at the airport and the transfer to the cemetery or crematorium.
- Armenian death certificate (long form) with apostillestates the cause of death; apostille by the Armenian authority
- Medical certificate of deathBasis for registering the death
- Transfer permitPermission from the Armenian authorities to take the body out of the country
- Passport of the deceasedpresented for export
Good to know: funeral customs and particularities in Armenia
In Armenia, preparations for the burial begin immediately, and the funeral usually takes place within one to three days. The deceased lies in state at home or in a funeral hall, and relatives and neighbours come for the wake. The church service and burial are followed by a shared memorial meal. Memorial services are held on the seventh and especially on the fortieth day, as well as annually. Because of the repatriation from Germany, these rituals are shifted; we coordinate the day of arrival closely with the family.
German citizens travelling from Germany to the funeral do not need a visa for stays of up to 180 days a year, but they do need a passport – an identity card is not sufficient. Male relatives with Armenian citizenship should clarify questions about military service before travelling, as otherwise problems may arise on departure.
Urn transfer to Armenia
According to the UK government, there are no crematoria in Armenia. An urn can therefore only be produced in Germany: the cremation takes place at a German crematorium, after which the urn can travel to Yerevan as air freight or – by arrangement with the airline – be accompanied by relatives. The family should clarify in advance whether the local cemetery and community will support an urn burial in the family grave. We put together the necessary documents, such as the death certificate with apostille and the cremation certificate.
More about urn transferFixed price for repatriation to Armenia
Tell us where the deceased is now. We will check what Armenia requires and send you a written fixed price – free of charge and without obligation.
- Free and without obligation
- Written fixed price, no extra charges later
- Your data stays with us
- Request
- –
- Urgency
- Immediately
- Contact
- Phone call
Your enquiry goes directly to Rudolf Nordheimer. You will receive a written fixed price.
Frequently asked questions about Armenia
Your question isn’t here? Call us – we will answer right away.
All questionsAre there direct flights for repatriation from Germany to Armenia?
Depending on the flight schedule, there are non-stop or connecting flights to Yerevan-Zvartnots. The coffin travels as air freight; we check which connection suits the individual case and accepts freight when booking.
Can a deceased person be cremated in Armenia?
No, according to the UK government there are no crematoria in Armenia. The options are an earth burial in Armenia or repatriation in a coffin to Germany. Cremation can then take place in Germany.
Does an Armenian death certificate need an apostille in Germany?
Yes, all certificates issued in Armenia require an apostille for German authorities. Armenia has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 1994. Our local partner takes care of this.
Is repatriation to Armenia possible overland?
Hardly, in practice: according to the German Federal Foreign Office, the border with Turkey is permanently closed, and the border with Azerbaijan cannot be crossed. An overland route would only be possible via Georgia and would be very long. That is why we usually repatriate to Armenia by air freight.
What applies if the home town is in the border area with Azerbaijan?
A partial travel warning from the German Federal Foreign Office applies to parts of the provinces of Tavush, Gegharkunik, Ararat, Vayots Dzor and Syunik (as of October 2026). We discuss a safe route with our partner funeral director and inform you in advance if there are any restrictions.
Sources: German Federal Foreign Office: Armenia – travel and safety advice (as of 08.10.2026) · German Federal Foreign Office: Armenian missions in Germany · Higher Regional Court Dresden (Saxony Justice): Armenia information sheet – apostille · HCCH: Status table of the Apostille Convention · GOV.UK: When someone dies in Armenia · City of Karlsruhe: Issuing a body passport · Eurasia Travel: Funeral traditions in Armenia
Information provided without guarantee, as of 10/2026. Requirements of authorities and airlines change; we check them for each case.
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Day and night, including weekends. One call is all it takes to get the repatriation under way.