Paperwork
Documents required for international funeral transport
Transporting a deceased person across a border requires several official documents. We obtain all of them on behalf of the family.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Documents usually required
- 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
The exact list depends on the country where the death occurred and the destination country. Some destinations also require documents to be translated or certified by their consulate.
What the family provides
- A copy of the passport or ID card of the deceased
- The name and address of the cemetery or funeral home at the destination
- Contact details of one family member who can make decisions
Country by country
Germany
In Germany the doctor issues the medical death certificate (Todesbescheinigung), the registry office (Standesamt) issues the civil death certificate (Sterbeurkunde), and the competent local authority issues the corpse passport (Leichenpass) that is required for any transport abroad.
Austria
In Austria the death is confirmed by the official post-mortem examination (Totenbeschau), the registry office (Standesamt) issues the death certificate (Sterbeurkunde), and the district authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) or city magistrate issues the corpse passport (Leichenpass).
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.
France
In France the doctor issues the medical death certificate, the town hall (mairie) registers the death and issues the death certificate (acte de décès), and the prefecture authorises the transport of the body abroad. For international transport the deceased is placed in a hermetically sealed coffin.
Italy
In Italy the death is registered with the municipality (Comune), which issues the death certificate (certificato di morte). The mortuary passport (passaporto mortuario) needed for transport abroad is issued by the competent Italian authority after the local health authority has checked the sealed coffin.
Netherlands
In the Netherlands the death is registered with the municipality (gemeente), which issues the death certificate (akte van overlijden) and the documents for transport abroad, including the corpse passport (lijkenpas).
Luxembourg
In Luxembourg the death is registered with the civil registry of the commune, which issues the death certificate. The authorisation and corpse passport for transport abroad are issued by the competent Luxembourg authority.
Spain
In Spain the death is recorded at the Civil Registry (Registro Civil), which issues the death certificate (certificado de defunción). The health authority of the autonomous community authorises the international transfer of the remains (traslado internacional de cadáver).
United Kingdom
In England and Wales the death is registered with the local register office, and the coroner must be notified before a body is taken out of the country (Form 104, “out of England”). The coroner normally releases the body after a waiting period of several working days. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own procedures, which we also handle.
Ireland
In Ireland the death is registered with the civil registration service. Where a coroner is involved, the coroner must release the remains before they can leave the country.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
In Bosnia and Herzegovina a doctor confirms the death, the municipal registry office (matični ured) records it and issues the death certificate (izvod iz matične knjige umrlih), and the competent authorities issue the permit and corpse passport for transport abroad.
Croatia
In Croatia a doctor confirms the death, the registry office (matični ured) records it and issues the death certificate (smrtni list), and the competent authority issues the permit for transport of the deceased abroad.
Serbia
In Serbia a doctor confirms the death, the registry office (matična služba) records it and issues the death certificate (izvod iz matične knjige umrlih), and the competent authorities issue the permit and corpse passport for transport abroad.
Montenegro
In Montenegro a doctor confirms the death, the civil registry records it and issues the death certificate, and the competent authorities issue the permit for transport of the deceased abroad.
North Macedonia
In North Macedonia a doctor confirms the death, the civil registry records it and issues the death certificate, and the competent authorities issue the permit for transport of the deceased abroad.
Slovenia
In Slovenia a doctor confirms the death, the administrative unit (upravna enota) records it and issues the death certificate, and the competent authority issues the permit for transport of the deceased abroad.
Procedures can change and differ by region. We confirm the current requirements for each transport.
Need help with the documents?
Tell us where the deceased is and where they should be taken. We call you back as soon as possible, day or night, with a clear quote and the next steps.
- Free and without obligation
- All-inclusive price, no hidden costs
- Reply within minutes during the day, and at night for urgent cases
Urgent? Call us directly: +49 1522 233 1292 (Germany), +43 667 767 0128 (Austria)
Not sure which documents you need?
Call us at any time of day or night. We take over the paperwork, the transport and the coordination with the authorities, so the family does not have to.