Repatriation of the deceased in Riga — to and from Latvia

If a relative has died abroad, or the deceased has to be taken from Latvia to another country, the Riga City Funeral Service handles the entire repatriation: documents, coordination with authorities and consulates, preparation of the body and the transport itself. Our duty specialist answers around the clock — call +371 2208 4540.

Repatriation is far more than a journey. Most of the work is paperwork: the death certificate, the doctor's statement on the cause of death, the permit from the Health Inspectorate, translations and clearances with the authorities of the country receiving the deceased. Requirements differ from country to country, so we first establish the specific situation and only then name the steps, the timeline and the cost. The family does not have to work through the procedure alone — we explain it in plain language and go through it on your behalf.

How repatriation works

The order is the same whether we bring the deceased to Latvia or take them from Latvia to another country. Only the authorities involved differ.

1. First call and assessment. We establish where the deceased is, which hospital or morgue has received them and what the particular country requires. In that first conversation we tell you which documents will be needed and roughly how long the preparation will take.
2. Paperwork. We obtain the death certificate and the statement on the cause of death, arrange translations and the necessary certifications, and prepare the transport permit. This part is ours to do — the family only signs a power of attorney, which can be arranged remotely.
3. Coordination with authorities and the consulate. We contact the morgue, the Health Inspectorate, customs and the embassy or consulate of the country concerned so that the transport has every required clearance.
4. Preparation of the body. For international transport the body is prepared according to sanitary requirements and placed in a hermetically sealed coffin. The coffin contains only the deceased and personal belongings that will be buried with them.
5. Transport and handover. We arrange the route, the accompanying documents and the reception of the deceased at the destination. If the funeral takes place in Riga, we continue with the funeral arrangements; if abroad, we hand the deceased over to the local funeral service.

Documents required for repatriation

The exact list depends on the country, but the core is the same. We help with obtaining, translating and certifying these documents.

If the receiving country requires translation and certification, we prepare those as well. More about the formalities in Latvia is on the funeral documents page.

By road or by air

In practice two options are used across Europe. Which one fits depends on distance, timing and the requirements of the receiving country; we propose the suitable one once the route is known.

In both cases the transport is accompanied by our specialist or by a partner service in the destination country, and the family always knows where the deceased is.

Countries we arrange repatriation from

Most often we bring the deceased to Latvia from countries where Latvian residents live and work: the United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland and Italy. Just as often we arrange transport out of Latvia — to Lithuania, Estonia, Moldova, Bulgaria and elsewhere. If your destination is not on the list, that is not a refusal: we will check what that country requires and tell you how it can be done.

How much repatriation costs

There is no single price for repatriation — every route is calculated separately. The cost is made up of:

• the distance, the country of departure and the destination;
• the mode of transport — overland or by air;
• preparation of the body and a coffin suitable for international transport;
• documents, translations and certifications;
• any additional requirements of the country concerned.

Call us and tell us where the deceased is and where they need to be taken — we will give you the calculation the same day, and it will be the full amount, with nothing added later.

If insurance covers the cost

If the deceased held travel or health insurance that covers repatriation, the insurer may cover part of the cost — usually the transport, the preparation of the body and the paperwork. It is important to notify the insurer in good time, before the work begins, otherwise the expenses may not be accepted. Tell us about the policy in the first conversation — we will help you understand what it includes and prepare the documents the way the insurer requires.

Repatriation of an urn

If cremation has been chosen, an urn with the ashes is taken to the other country — simpler and less expensive than transporting a coffin. A cremation certificate and a death certificate are required, and in some countries an import permit as well. Read more about cremation in Riga and receiving an urn on separate pages.

How to start

If a relative has died abroad, first contact the local hospital, morgue or police and find out where the deceased is. Then call us — we take over from there. Most matters are settled remotely, and travelling to the country where the death occurred is usually unnecessary. Our office is at Tēraudlietuves iela 3, Riga, and the duty specialist answers at any hour: +371 2208 4540.