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CIS and Eastern EuropeRepatriation to Ukraine and repatriation to Germany
Ukrainian airspace is closed to civil aviation (as of October 2026) – a repatriation to Ukraine is therefore carried out exclusively by road. Together with our partner funeral directors in Ukraine, we drive all the way to the home town and advise you in Ukrainian, Russian and German.
Rudolf Nordheimer and team – in German, Russian or English.
Ukraine at a glance
- Transport route
- By road only; according to the German Federal Foreign Office, entry and exit are possible only by land (as of October 2026)
- Border crossings from Poland
- Several road crossings; the choice depends on the destination and current waiting times
- Certificates
- Apostille – in relations between Germany and Ukraine since 22.07.2010 (withdrawal of the German objection)
- Agreements
- Neither the Berlin Agreement of 1937 nor the Council of Europe Agreement of 1973 applies in relations between Germany and Ukraine
- Representation in Germany
- Embassy in Berlin; consulates general in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Munich; honorary consulates in Cologne and Neuss, among others
- Local partners
- Yes – partner funeral directors in Ukraine
Repatriation from Germany to Ukraine
According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 1.41 million Ukrainian citizens live in Germany (as of 31.12.2025) – many of them since 2022. When a relative dies here, families often wish for a burial in their home country. As the airspace is closed, the coffin travels in a funeral transport vehicle, usually via Poland. There are several road crossings between Poland and Ukraine; we choose the right one based on the destination and the current situation. The German Federal Foreign Office points to damaged roads, checkpoints and waiting times of several hours at the borders; we therefore plan the journey time with a reserve.
For the repatriation of a coffin, a death certificate, a certificate of the cause of death and proof of embalming and soldering of the coffin are usually required. We clarify in advance which documents, permits and translations the competent Ukrainian consulate general – for example in Düsseldorf for North Rhine-Westphalia – requires in the individual case. The death can also be registered in Ukraine via the consulate, so that the family receives a Ukrainian death certificate (свідоцтво про смерть). German documents receive an apostille. Since the withdrawal of the German objection, the Hague Apostille Convention has applied between the two states since 22 July 2010.
Special rules apply to the funeral transport vehicle at the Ukrainian border: the vehicle owner must travel along, or the driver needs a written power of attorney with a certified signature, apostille and Ukrainian translation. In addition, motor liability insurance recognised in Ukraine is required; the Green Card is the simplest proof. We prepare these papers for every journey.
- German death certificate with apostilleBasis for the consulate, border and civil registry office in Ukraine
- Certificate of cause of deathMedical certificate; translation depending on the consulate
- Proof of embalming and solderingFrom the German funeral director, for the zinc-lined coffin
- Body passportFrom the competent German authority at the place of death
- Transport permit / consular documentsCoordination with the competent Ukrainian consulate general
Death in Ukraine – repatriation to Germany
If a German citizen dies in Ukraine, relatives should immediately notify the Legal and Consular Section of the German Embassy in Kyiv. The embassy needs the names of the deceased's parents for the death certificate, the desired place of burial in Germany and the contact details of the German funeral director and – if already appointed – the Ukrainian funeral director.
An important particularity: according to the embassy, foreigners in Ukraine are always subject to an autopsy. Before release, the embassy must receive a written declaration of consent to the autopsy from the relatives by email – regardless of the cause of death. Only then does it issue the certificates for the funeral company. For the repatriation, the embassy issues the body passport (Leichenpass), urn certificate or consular certificate.
The embassy is currently operating with limited consular services (as of October 2026). Our partner funeral director in Ukraine handles the local formalities, and we handle the journey across the Polish border to the cemetery in Germany.
- Declaration of consent to the autopsyBy email to the German Embassy in Kyiv, before the body is released
- Свідоцтво про смертьUkrainian death certificate, with apostille for German authorities
- Body passport or urn certificateFrom the German Embassy in Kyiv
- Soldering certificateFrom the Ukrainian funeral director
Good to know: funeral customs and particularities in Ukraine
Most families follow Orthodox or Greek Catholic customs. Memorial services are held on the 3rd, 9th and 40th day; the 40th day is considered the most important. In spring after Easter, many families visit the graves of their relatives on “Provody”. If the burial is to take place on a specific date, please tell us early – the journey across the border needs lead time.
The German Federal Foreign Office warns against travel to Ukraine. Relatives who wish to accompany the repatriation should be aware that, according to the Federal Foreign Office, men between the ages of 23 and 60 are generally not permitted to leave Ukraine since the general mobilisation, even if they hold another nationality (as of October 2026). Former Ukrainian citizens with a German passport should carry their naturalisation or release certificate in the original.
Urn transfer to Ukraine
An urn, too, can currently only travel by road to Ukraine or from Ukraine to Germany, as there are no civil flights. For an urn from Ukraine, the German Embassy in Kyiv issues an urn certificate; according to the embassy, cremation followed by an urn transfer is possible. For import into Ukraine, we clarify with the competent Ukrainian consulate general which certificates and translations it requires. For families, an urn is often a quicker solution than a coffin.
More about urn transferFixed price for repatriation to Ukraine
Tell us where the deceased is now. We check what Ukraine 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 Ukraine
Your question isn’t here? Call us – we will answer right away.
All questionsCan a coffin be flown to Ukraine?
No. Ukrainian airspace is closed; according to the German Federal Foreign Office, entry and exit are only possible by land. We transport the coffin in a funeral transport vehicle, usually via a Polish-Ukrainian border crossing.
Which Ukrainian consulate is responsible for me?
In addition to the embassy in Berlin, there are consulates general in Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg and Munich. As a rule, the consulate for your federal state is responsible – for NRW, for example, Düsseldorf. We coordinate the documents with the consulate.
Is a German who died in Ukraine subject to an autopsy?
According to the German Embassy in Kyiv, foreigners in Ukraine are always subject to an autopsy. The relatives must first send the embassy their written consent by email. Only then are the certificates for the funeral director issued.
Does the apostille apply between Germany and Ukraine?
Yes. Germany initially objected to Ukraine's accession but later withdrew its objection. Since 22 July 2010 an apostille is sufficient; legalisation is no longer required.
Can relatives from Ukraine travel to Germany for the funeral?
According to the German Federal Foreign Office, men aged between 23 and 60 have generally not been allowed to leave Ukraine since the general mobilisation, even if they hold another nationality (as of October 2026). Whether an exception is possible in an individual case is decided by the Ukrainian authorities. We plan the funeral arrangements around what is possible for you.
Sources: German Embassy Kyiv: Deaths in Ukraine · German Federal Foreign Office: Ukraine – travel and safety advice (as of 08.10.2026) · German Federal Foreign Office: Ukrainian missions in Germany · HCCH: Status table Apostille Convention (Ukraine, German objection withdrawn 22.07.2010) · Destatis: Foreign population by nationality (31.12.2025) · Fakty: Юрист розповів, що робити у разі смерті українця за кордоном (2024) · Wikipedia: Panikhida / Radonitsa (Prowody)
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.