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CIS and Eastern EuropeRepatriation to Kyrgyzstan and repatriation to Germany
Since October 2024, the apostille has applied between Germany and Kyrgyzstan – which makes the paperwork for a repatriation considerably easier. We take the deceased in a coffin by air freight to Bishkek or Osh and bring the deceased back from Kyrgyzstan to Germany.
Rudolf Nordheimer and team – in German, Russian or English.
Kyrgyzstan at a glance
- Transport route
- Air freight in a soldered zinc-lined coffin, usually with transhipment at a hub
- Distance
- Straight-line distance Frankfurt–Bishkek approx. 4,900 km
- Destination airports
- Bishkek-Manas (FRU), Osh (OSS) in the south
- Certificates
- Apostille – in relations with Germany since 07.10.2024; older apostilles are not recognised
- Agreements
- Hague Apostille Convention (Germany withdrew its 2011 objection in 2024)
- Representation in Germany
- Embassy in Berlin, consulate in Frankfurt am Main, honorary consuls in Ahrensburg and Wolfratshausen
Repatriation from Germany to Kyrgyzstan
We collect the deceased anywhere in Germany, take care of the death certificate, medical certificates and body passport (Leichenpass), and have the deceased placed in a soldered zinc-lined coffin for air transport. Freight to Bishkek usually goes via an international hub. We choose the connection with as few transhipments as possible and agree the arrival time with the family. For families from the south – for example from Osh or Jalal-Abad – Osh International Airport may be the shorter route.
Until 2024 the paperwork was difficult: Kyrgyzstan acceded to the Apostille Convention in 2011, but Germany had lodged an objection. Germany has withdrawn this objection; since 7 October 2024, the apostille has applied between the two countries. The German death certificate receives its apostille from the competent German authority and is then translated into Russian or Kyrgyz. The German Embassy in Bishkek cannot apostille German documents.
We clarify in advance with the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Berlin or the consulate in Frankfurt am Main which documents the Kyrgyz side requires for the import of the coffin. That way, the family in Kyrgyzstan is not left facing open questions at customs on arrival.
- Death certificate with apostillefrom the German civil registry office, apostille by the competent German authority
- Body passportfrom the competent German authority at the place of death
- Medical certificateno infectious disease
- Certificate of coffiningSoldering of the zinc-lined coffin
- Passport of the deceasedOriginal or copy
- Translationsinto Russian or Kyrgyz
Death in Kyrgyzstan – repatriation to Germany
A death in Kyrgyzstan is registered at the local civil registry office, the ZAGS of the State Registration Service. It issues the death certificate in Russian and Kyrgyz; collecting the documents and issuing the certificate takes about three to five working days. Kyrgyz medical certificates usually state the cause of death. During an autopsy, organs may be removed for examination even without the relatives' consent – this is hard for many families, and we address it openly.
For repatriation, the following are required: the medical and civil death certificates, a transfer permit together with the record of the soldering of the zinc-lined coffin, a copy of the deceased's passport and the ID of an accompanying person. According to British information, the formalities on the ground usually take around seven days. The body passport for Germany is usually issued by the German Embassy in Bishkek.
For German authorities, the Kyrgyz death certificate needs an apostille, which is usually issued by the ministry overseeing the issuing office. The embassy in Bishkek does not obtain Kyrgyz civil status documents for private individuals. Our advice: have the apostille affixed on the spot before the coffin departs.
- Medical certificate of deathfrom the hospital or mortuary
- ZAGS death certificatein Russian and Kyrgyz, with apostille for Germany
- Transfer permittogether with the record of the soldering of the zinc-lined coffin
- Copy of the deceased’s passportplus a copy of the ID of an accompanying person
- Body passportfrom the German Embassy in Bishkek
- Power of attorneynotarised, if the funeral director handles the registration on behalf of the family
Good to know: funeral customs and special features in Kyrgyzstan
According to government estimates, around 90 per cent of the population are Muslim, overwhelmingly Sunni. Kyrgyz people and the Uzbek minority in the south – about 15 per cent of the population – are predominantly Muslim, while the ethnic Russian minority mostly belongs to the Orthodox Church or Protestant congregations. This determines the cemetery, the funeral service and the wish for a prompt burial.
Kyrgyzstan lies in a highly active seismic zone; landslides, mudflows and rockfalls can close mountain roads at short notice, including the busy Bishkek–Almaty route. If the family's home town is in a mountain valley or in the border area with Tajikistan, we plan onward transport from the airport with time to spare.
Around 74,000 ethnic German resettlers (Spätaussiedler) have come to Germany from Kyrgyzstan since 1992. Many of these families still have relatives and graves in Kyrgyzstan – and the wish to be buried there.
Urn transfer to Kyrgyzstan
There are no crematoria in Kyrgyzstan. According to the British government, it is possible to have the deceased cremated in Russia and to take the urn to Kyrgyzstan or abroad – but this considerably lengthens the journey and the paperwork. The reverse case is more common: cremation in Germany and taking the urn to Kyrgyzstan. We clarify in advance with the consulate which certificates the Kyrgyz authorities and the airline require for this; German documents bearing an apostille have been recognised since October 2024.
More about urn transferFixed price for repatriation to Kyrgyzstan
Tell us where the deceased is now. We check what Kyrgyzstan 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 Kyrgyzstan
Your question isn’t here? Call us – we will answer right away.
All questionsDoes the apostille apply between Germany and Kyrgyzstan?
Yes, since 7 October 2024. Germany has withdrawn its objection to Kyrgyzstan's accession to the Apostille Convention. According to the German Embassy in Bishkek, apostilles issued before this date are not recognised.
Are there direct flights for a coffin to Bishkek?
Air freight from Germany to Bishkek usually involves transhipment at a hub. We choose the connection with as few transhipments as possible and check whether Osh airport is closer for families from the south.
How long does repatriation from Kyrgyzstan take?
Issuing the death certificate takes about three to five working days; according to British information, the formalities on the ground as a whole usually take around seven days. On top of this come the body passport from the German Embassy and flight planning. We do not quote a guaranteed timeframe, but we keep you updated every day.
Is cremation possible in Kyrgyzstan?
No, there is no crematorium in Kyrgyzstan. Cremation is only possible abroad, for example in Russia. That is why the deceased is usually repatriated in a coffin.
Which Kyrgyz mission is responsible in Germany?
The Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Berlin and the consulate in Frankfurt am Main; there are also honorary consuls in Ahrensburg and Wolfratshausen. Before the repatriation, we clarify which office is responsible for your documents.
Sources: German Embassy Bishkek: Documents / apostille / legalisation · HCCH: Apostille Convention – notifications concerning Kyrgyzstan · German Federal Foreign Office: Kyrgyzstan – travel and safety advice · German Federal Foreign Office: Kyrgyz missions in Germany · GOV.UK: When someone dies in Kyrgyzstan · German Federal Foreign Office: Consular assistance – deaths · U.S. Department of State: 2023 Report on International Religious Freedom – Kyrgyzstan · bpb: (Late) resettlers – facts and figures
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.