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Caucasus and Middle EastRepatriation to Azerbaijan and repatriation to Germany
We repatriate the deceased by air freight to Baku and bring relatives who have died in Azerbaijan back to Germany – together with our local partner funeral director. Since 16 March 2026, the apostille procedure has applied between the two countries, and the time-consuming legalisation of certificates is no longer necessary.
Rudolf Nordheimer and team – in German, Russian or English.
Azerbaijan at a glance
- Transport route
- By air only – according to the German Federal Foreign Office, the land borders are closed to regular passenger traffic
- Destination airport
- Baku, Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD)
- Flight connections
- Air freight to Baku, non-stop or with a transfer depending on the flight schedule
- Certificates
- Apostille since 16.03.2026; issued in Azerbaijan via ASAN Xidmət
- Cremation
- Not practised in Azerbaijan, no crematoria (UK government)
- Representation in Germany
- Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Klingelhöferstraße 20, Berlin
From Germany to Azerbaijan: repatriation according to Islamic rite
Azerbaijan is predominantly Muslim, with the majority belonging to Shia Islam. Many families therefore wish for a burial according to Islamic rite as quickly as possible: ritual washing, a white shroud, the funeral prayer and a grave facing Mecca. On request, we arrange the washing before transport with a Muslim community near you. For the flight, the deceased is then placed in a transport coffin. We inform the family in Azerbaijan of the arrival time early on so that the funeral prayer and burial can be prepared.
Repatriation to Azerbaijan is currently only possible by air. The German Federal Foreign Office points out that the land borders are closed to regular passenger traffic and that entry by car is not possible. The destination is Heydar Aliyev Airport in Baku (GYD); we clarify which connection – non-stop or with a transfer – accepts the coffin as freight when booking. There, our partner funeral director takes over and brings the deceased to the cemetery – in Baku, Ganja, Sumgait or the regions.
Much has changed regarding certificates in 2026: since 16 March 2026, the Hague Apostille Convention has been in force between Germany and Azerbaijan. German certificates receive an apostille from the competent German authority and must, as a rule, be translated into Azerbaijani. According to the German Embassy in Baku, a notarised translation in Azerbaijan is advisable, but it can only be made on the basis of an apostilled original. If the translation is made in Germany, the certified translation also needs an apostille.
- Death certificate with apostillefrom the German civil registry office; apostille by the competent German authority
- Translation into Azerbaijaninotarised in Azerbaijan or certified in Germany – in which case also with an apostille
- International body passportfrom the municipality at the place of death, applied for by us
- Passport of the deceasedfor identification on departure and entry
Death in Azerbaijan: repatriation to Germany
If a relative dies in Azerbaijan, the death is registered with the local civil registry office (the district Registration Department) or via an ASAN service centre. The basis is the medical certificate of death on form AZS-106, issued by the district forensic medicine department. The death certificate is issued in Azerbaijani and states the cause of death.
According to the UK government, a post-mortem is carried out on all foreigners who die in Azerbaijan, especially if the body is to be repatriated abroad. It usually takes place within 24 hours, even without the family's consent, and the results go to the police. Only once the death certificate is available and the release has been granted can the repatriation begin.
Since 18 March 2026, the Azerbaijani death certificate only requires an apostille for German authorities. It is issued via ASAN Xidmət, for example at ASAN Service Centre No. 5 in Baku at 115 Heydar Aliyev Avenue and, to the embassy's knowledge, at all other ASAN offices as well. The German Embassy in Baku is not involved; certificates legalised up to 17 March 2026 remain valid. Our local partner obtains the certificate, apostille and export release.
- Azerbaijani death certificate with apostilleApostille via ASAN Xidmət, without involvement of the German Embassy
- Medical certificate of death (form AZS-106)from the district forensic medicine department, prerequisite for the death certificate
- Release for repatriationafter the post-mortem, prerequisite for exporting the body
- Passport of the deceasedpresented for the repatriation
Good to know: funeral customs and particularities in Azerbaijan
According to Islamic tradition, the deceased is washed, wrapped in white cotton cloths and laid in the grave on their right side, facing Mecca; the coffin serves mainly for transport. Cremation is not practised in Azerbaijan. Because an international repatriation takes a few days, we discuss the schedule openly with you and the family in Azerbaijan.
German relatives travelling to the funeral need a visa; an e-visa for up to 30 days is available via the official portal evisa.gov.az – beware of fake websites. Passports with Armenian stamps may lead to longer checks. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, there is a travel warning for the Karabakh region and the entire border area with Armenia because of mines and possible fighting (as of October 2026). Men with dual citizenship should clarify military service questions in advance.
Urn transfer to Azerbaijan
As there are no crematoria in Azerbaijan, urn transfer only concerns cremations in Germany – for example for non-Muslim deceased or at the express wish of the family. The urn can travel to Baku as air freight or, by arrangement with the airline, be accompanied by relatives. We clarify before booking which documents customs in Baku requires, such as the death certificate and cremation certificate with apostille and translation.
More about urn transferFixed price for repatriation to Azerbaijan
Tell us where the deceased is now. We will check what Azerbaijan 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 Azerbaijan
Your question isn’t here? Call us – we will answer right away.
All questionsDo I still need legalisation for repatriation to Azerbaijan?
No. Since 16 March 2026, the Hague Apostille Convention has applied between Germany and Azerbaijan. German certificates receive an apostille from the competent German authority, and Azerbaijani certificates receive an apostille via ASAN Xidmət.
Can a coffin be taken to Azerbaijan overland?
Not at present. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, Azerbaijan's land borders are closed to regular passenger traffic. We therefore repatriate by air freight to Baku.
Is a post-mortem carried out on every foreigner who dies in Azerbaijan?
According to the UK government, yes, especially if the body is repatriated abroad. The post-mortem usually takes place within 24 hours. The civil registry office then issues the death certificate and the body is released.
Can a deceased person be cremated in Azerbaijan?
No, cremation is not practised in Azerbaijan and there are no crematoria. The options are an earth burial locally or repatriation in a coffin to Germany.
Do relatives need a visa to travel to the funeral in Azerbaijan?
Yes, German citizens need a visa. An e-visa for up to 30 days can be applied for via the official portal evisa.gov.az; processing may take longer before public holidays.
Sources: German Embassy Baku: Apostille procedure for Azerbaijani certificates · German Embassy Baku: Exchange of certificates between Germany and Azerbaijan · German Federal Foreign Office: Azerbaijan – travel and safety advice (as of 08.10.2026) · German Federal Foreign Office: Azerbaijani missions in Germany · GOV.UK: When someone dies in Azerbaijan · Wikipedia: Islamic burial · Wikipedia: Azerbaijan (religion)
Information provided without guarantee, as of 10/2026. Requirements of authorities and airlines change; we check them for each case.
We are here for you now
Day and night, including weekends. One call is all it takes to get the repatriation under way.