Switzerland is a special case in European funeral transport. It is part of the Schengen area, so there are no passport checks on most borders, but it is not part of the EU customs union. Every transport to or from Switzerland therefore crosses a customs border.
Documents in Switzerland
In Switzerland the death is reported to the civil registry office (Zivilstandsamt / état civil), which records it and issues the death certificate. The corpse passport (Leichenpass / laissez-passer mortuaire) for transport abroad is issued by the cantonal authorities.
Customs formalities
The customs paperwork has to be prepared before the hearse reaches the border. A funeral transport company with experience on Swiss routes does this in advance, so the transport is not held up.
Switzerland is part of Schengen but not of the EU customs union, so remains entering the country cross a customs border. We prepare the customs paperwork and coordinate with the municipality and cemetery of the place of rest.
Some families choose cremation in the country where the death occurred and bring the urn home afterwards. This is often simpler and less expensive than transporting a coffin.
Which documents are needed?
Death certificate
Cremation certificate issued by the crematorium
A certificate confirming the urn contains only ashes, where required
Permits required by the destination country or cemetery
Can families carry the urn themselves?
In many cases this is possible, but rules differ between countries, airlines and cemeteries. Some countries and cemeteries require the urn to be delivered by a funeral home. We check the rules for each case.
Rules at the destination
Burial rules differ between countries. In Germany, for example, urns generally have to be buried in a cemetery. Check with the local cemetery or ask us to do it for you.
How we help
We arrange the cremation abroad, obtain the documents and deliver the urn to the family or directly to the cemetery. See our routes for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
When a deceased person needs to be brought home from another European country, there are two main options: by road in a hearse, or by air as cargo on a scheduled flight. Each has its advantages.
Transport by hearse
Door to door, without transfers between vehicles
The deceased is accompanied the whole way
No dependence on flight schedules or airline rules
Usually the best option for distances up to about 1,500 km
In most cases the decision depends on the distance, the date of the funeral and the budget. We advise every family individually. Read more about air transport of human remains.
One of the first questions families ask is what the transport will cost. There is no single price, because every case is different. These are the factors that determine the cost.
Distance
The distance between the place of death and the place of rest is the biggest factor for road transport. A transport from Germany to Luxembourg is much shorter than one from Austria to Spain.
Documents and official fees
Each country charges its own fees for death certificates, the corpse passport and other permits. Some destinations also require consular documents.
Coffin and preparation
International transport requires a hermetically sealed zinc-lined coffin. Depending on the countries involved and the time until the funeral, embalming may also be required.
Road or air
For most routes in central Europe the hearse is the most practical option. For longer distances or islands, air transport can be faster, with airport transfers at both ends.
Customs
Routes to and from Switzerland and the United Kingdom cross a customs border, which means extra paperwork.
What a fair quote includes
Collection of the deceased
Preparation and the coffin
All documents and fees
The transport itself
Handover at the destination
Ask for a written, all-inclusive quote before agreeing to anything. You can read how we calculate prices or request a free quote below.
Anyone who has organised a repatriation will have come across the term corpse passport. In German it is called Leichenpass, in French laissez-passer mortuaire. It is the official document that allows a deceased person to be transported from one country to another.
What is a corpse passport?
The corpse passport is an official permit issued by the authorities of the country where the death occurred. It confirms the identity of the deceased, the cause of death has been checked, and the coffin meets the requirements for international transport. Border authorities and the authorities at the destination rely on it.
Who issues it?
Germany: the competent local authority, after the registry office (Standesamt) has registered the death
Austria: the district authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) or the city magistrate
Switzerland: the cantonal authorities, after the civil registry office has recorded the death
Procedures differ between regions, so the exact office depends on where the death occurred.
Which other documents are needed?
Civil death certificate, ideally the international multilingual extract
Medical certificate confirming the cause of death is not infectious
Corpse passport (laissez-passer) for international transport
Certificate of embalming or preservation, where required
Certificate confirming the zinc-lined coffin has been sealed
Copy of the passport or ID card of the deceased
How long does it take?
In most cases the documents can be prepared within a few working days. Delays are possible at weekends, on public holidays or when a coroner or the police are involved.
Do families need to apply themselves?
No. A funeral transport company applies for the corpse passport on behalf of the family. Usually the family only provides a copy of the passport or ID card of the deceased. Read more in our overview of required documents or contact us for help.
Receiving the news that a family member has died in another country is a shock. On top of the grief come practical questions: who do I call, what happens to the body, and how do we bring our loved one home? This guide explains the steps in the order they usually happen.
1. Make sure the death has been officially confirmed
A death must be confirmed by a doctor before anything else can happen. In a hospital or care home the staff take care of this. If the death occurred at home or in a public place, the emergency services or a local doctor are called. In some cases, for example after an accident, the police or a coroner may be involved, which can add a few days.
2. Contact a funeral transport company with international experience
You do not need to travel to the country where the death occurred. An international funeral transport company can collect the deceased, deal with the local authorities and organise the transport home. When you call, have the following information ready if possible:
Full name and date of birth of the deceased
Where the deceased is now (hospital, care home, home address)
Where the funeral or cremation will take place
Your contact details and your relationship to the deceased
3. Inform the consulate or embassy
If the deceased was a citizen of another country, it is a good idea to inform their consulate. Some destination countries require consular documents for the transport. A funeral transport company usually handles this as part of the service.
4. Documents are prepared
Several official documents are needed before the deceased can cross a border: a death certificate, a medical certificate, a corpse passport (laissez-passer) and a certificate that the coffin has been sealed. You can read the full list in our guide to documents required for international funeral transport.
5. Preparation and transport
The deceased is prepared with care and placed in a hermetically sealed zinc-lined coffin, which is required for international transport. Most transports within Europe are made by hearse, door to door. For long distances, air transport can be faster.
6. The funeral at home
While the transport is being organised, the family can plan the funeral with the local cemetery or funeral home. We coordinate the arrival time so that the burial or cremation can take place as planned.
