Embalming a body for repatriation from abroad

When a family first speaks to us about repatriation, one of the first questions they ask is: "Is embalming compulsory?" The answer depends on the country the body is leaving, the method of transport, and how many days will pass before the funeral. Below, we explain how this works in practice and what you should know before signing the quote.

What is embalming?

Embalming is carried out by a specialist at a mortuary or funeral home. A preservative solution is injected into the body via the blood vessels, which temporarily halts decomposition. The procedure takes several hours. Afterwards, the body is washed, dressed and placed in a coffin.

It is important to understand its limits: embalming does not preserve the body indefinitely. It buys time for the journey, the paperwork and the farewell. This is why it is so often associated with repatriation.

In official documents across different countries, the procedure has different names: Einbalsamierung (Germany, Austria), balsamowanie (Poland), balzamování (Czech Republic), imbalsamazione (Italy), soins de conservation (France), embalming (United Kingdom, USA). It is worth knowing these terms, as you will see them on the invoice from the local funeral home.

When embalming is mandatory

There is no single rule across Europe. The requirement comes from one of three parties.

The country the body is leaving. In Romania, embalming is mandatory if the body is being transported for burial to another place at least 30 km away. This always applies to journeys to Ukraine. In Hungary and Bulgaria, the law does not require it. We describe the requirements of other countries on their own pages, for example transport from Romania.

The carrier. Airlines that accept coffins in the hold often only accept embalmed bodies, particularly on long-haul flights and flights with connections. So for the USA, Portugal, Spain, Greece and other distant countries, embalming is almost always required. For more on air transport, see air transport of the deceased.

Time. If permits in the country of death take a long time, followed by several days on the road, the body may not stay in good condition without embalming. In such cases it is advisable even where the law does not require it.

When embalming is not necessary

Sometimes embalming is not needed at all:

1. The body travels by hearse from a neighbouring country, the paperwork is done quickly, and the journey takes one or two days. In this case, cold storage at the mortuary until departure and a hermetically sealed coffin are enough.
2. The family has chosen cremation in the country of death. An urn does not require embalming. More on this on the page transporting an urn with ashes.
3. The family's faith does not permit embalming. Islam and Judaism generally do not accept it. Please tell us straight away: we will look for the shortest overland route and check whether the country of departure will allow it.

Even without embalming, Ukraine requires a metal, hermetically sealed coffin. This requirement always applies, regardless of the country.

Embalming certificate

After the procedure, the funeral home issues an embalming certificate. It states who carried out the work, when, and which solution was used. This document is required by:

• the authority in the country of death that issues the permit to take the body abroad;
• the airline or cargo agent at the airport;
• sometimes border or customs officers.

The certificate goes into the set of accompanying documents together with the death certificate, the export permit and the certificate confirming that the body and coffin contain no foreign objects. If the embalming was done by a local funeral home rather than by us, ask them for this certificate straight away. It is harder to get a copy later.

How long embalming takes and how it affects the timeline

The procedure itself takes several hours, and with dressing and placing the body in the coffin it is usually done within one day. Families wait much longer for their turn at the mortuary, for the prosecutor's permission if the death is being investigated, and for the export documents.

So the usual order is: first the documents and the export permit, then embalming, then the coffin and departure. There is no point embalming the body long before departure: the time it buys is used up while the paperwork is still being prepared. The full procedure is described on the page body repatriation.

Will an open coffin be possible at the farewell?

Almost every family worries about this, and the honest answer is: it depends on the condition of the body, the number of days in transit, and how the preparation was done. Embalming improves the chances of a farewell with an open coffin, but no one can guarantee it in advance.

If an open coffin matters to you, tell us during the first call. We will advise what can be done while the body is still abroad, and we will be honest if the chances are slim. Preparation of the body in Ukraine, cosmetic work and dressing can be ordered separately: see preparing the body for the farewell.

How much does embalming cost?

The price is set by the funeral home or mortuary in the country of death and varies a lot between countries. When embalming is needed for transport, we include it in the quote and name the full amount before the contract is signed. The family does not receive separate invoices from us for embalming after departure.

If a local funeral home has already invoiced you for embalming, send the invoice to us before paying. We will check whether the procedure is really needed for your route.

Need help right now? We advise around the clock. We will tell you whether embalming is needed for your country and route, prepare the documents and bring the body home. Phone +380 73 319 25 35.

Frequently asked questions