During this challenging time, we are ready to assist you in the repatriation of your loved one from abroad. Our professional and experienced team will handle all the necessary documentation, assist in obtaining state support, communicate with foreign authorities, and ensure the safe and timely return of your loved one to Lithuania.
Repatriating a deceased from abroad may initially seem complex. By choosing a reliable and experienced team, you can be assured of a fast, efficient, and respectful process, allowing you to focus on your family and your loss.
Why choose a professional repatriation service?
Transport
We use specialized vehicles that comply with international sanitary and technical requirements.
Our vehicles are equipped with certified refrigeration systems that maintain the required temperature throughout the journey. The driver’s cabin is separated from the compartment where the deceased is transported. A secure fixation system prevents movement of the coffin during transit, and all interior surfaces are designed for proper cleaning and disinfection.
Transportation across borders is only possible using properly equipped vehicles that meet international standards. We select the most efficient and cost-effective transport method – by road, ferry, air, or a combination of these options.
Parenkame geriausią ir ekonomiškiausią transporto būdą (ar kelių būdų kombinacija), kad greitai pargabentumėme velionį į Lietuvą. Velionio palaikus gabename specialiu autotransportu, keltu ir lėktuvu. Parenkame būdą, kuris bus greičiausias ir už prieinamą kainą.
Document management
We handle all the necessary documentation required for the repatriation of the deceased from abroad. The repatriation process involves numerous foreign and Lithuanian institutions, which makes obtaining and issuing the required documents, as well as organizing the transportation of the remains, a complex procedure. Although there are certain common international standards and requirements for the transportation of human remains, each country also has its own internal regulations that must be understood in order to properly organize the repatriation process.
Representation
Handling Exceptional Situations
The already complex procedure of repatriating a deceased person from abroad may become longer and more complicated when the death occurs as a result of a criminal act and an investigation is initiated to determine the circumstances of death. This may delay the release of the body for an indefinite period, as the forensic examiner (coroner) and the police must issue authorization for the repatriation of the remains. In such cases, it is essential to engage specialists who are familiar with the required procedures and are able to communicate with the police, forensic experts, and other relevant institutions.
Documentation and transportation may also become more complicated if the deceased suffered from an infectious disease. Infectious diseases are generally classified into two categories: less contagious and highly contagious diseases. When transporting a body of a person who has died from an infectious disease, it is considered infectious material, and therefore strict packaging regulations apply. If the disease is classified as highly contagious, foreign authorities may refuse to issue a permit for the transportation of the remains and may require cremation to be carried out locally. In such cases, our specialists will arrange the cremation of the deceased and the transportation of the ashes in an urn.
Ongoing communication
The repatriation of a deceased person from abroad is a delicate matter that requires constant communication with foreign authorities and clients seeking to bring the remains of the deceased back home. We are available 24/7, ensuring that our clients can contact us at any time for assistance with any questions or concerns.
We also continuously keep our clients informed about any changes in the repatriation process, as we believe that open communication and maintaining contact provide peace of mind and allow our clients to feel more at ease.
Repatriation of the deceased from abroad: procedure for issuing a laissez-passer
On October 26, 1973, in Strasbourg, the Agreement on the Transfer of Corpses (laissez-passer) was adopted, establishing requirements and procedures for the transportation of human remains. Lithuania ratified this document on May 21, 2009. The agreement simplifies the procedures for transporting the deceased between countries that have ratified it. Currently, more than 20 European countries are parties to the agreement.
The laissez-passer document is issued in two languages: the official language of the issuing country and English. It must indicate the cause of death, including whether the deceased died from a contagious disease.
To obtain the permit, it is necessary to submit an application in the approved form, an identification document of the applicant, the death certificate, a supplier’s declaration of coffin compliance, and a certificate from the institution that performed the embalming or autopsy confirming that there are no foreign objects or substances in the body.
The permit includes key personal details of the deceased, such as full name, date of birth, date of death, and age. It also specifies the cause of death, mode of transportation, and route. A properly certified permit allows the remains of the deceased to be transported without obstruction through the territories of the relevant countries.
Repatriation of human remains from European Union countries
In 2003, the European Parliament adopted Resolution 2003/2032 (INI), which defined the procedures for cremation, embalming, burial, and other formalities in the event of the death of a European Community citizen outside their country of origin. The European Community’s vision that citizens of member states can move freely within the Community does not end upon their death. Freedom of movement and the freedom to settle wherever one wishes should not be restricted by bureaucratic formalities.
The European Community recognized that a person who dies outside their country of origin (within the Community) is treated as a citizen who has died in their own country. In the resolution, the Commission was urged to ensure the harmonization of uniform standards and procedures for the cross-border transport of remains.
The regulation adopted on July 27, 2005, specified how the deceased must be identified:
- The body must be identified by a funeral home or technician in the country of departure.
- The identifying details must be indicated on the body’s laissez-passer.
- An identification bracelet must be attached to the body (wrist or ankle), and the coffin must be secured with a non-removable identification label and wrapped.
The regulation also sets out requirements for transport coffins. The coffin must be made of a solid material (wood is used in Europe) that is biodegradable. It must also be impermeable, and the materials used to ensure impermeability must be biodegradable and comply with the standards applied in crematoriums. The coffin must meet all necessary sanitary requirements.
What are the requirements for a coffin?
It is important that the coffin complies with international standards. A double zinc-lined coffin must have a metal (zinc) inner lining and a wooden outer casing. The inner zinc coffin must be hermetically sealed prior to transportation.
The base of the inner coffin must contain a layer of antiseptic material with a hygroscopic substance of at least 5 cm, typically using materials such as sawdust, peat, or charcoal. The outer wooden coffin is secured with metal bands and properly sealed in accordance with international transportation requirements.
What documents are required?
To begin the process of repatriating a deceased person from abroad, certain documents from the next of kin are required first.
First, the relatives must authorize a repatriation company to arrange the transportation of the deceased’s remains from the foreign country. This document grants the company the authority to handle all necessary formalities in the country where the remains are located and to ensure their repatriation.
The following information about the deceased is also required: full name, personal identification number, date and place of birth, date and place of death, as well as copies of the deceased’s passport and death certificate. Additional documents may also be needed, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, and information regarding the deceased’s occupation, address, family members, and similar details.
Contact information for relevant institutions must also be provided, including the hospital, mortuary, police, coroner, and other authorities. This should include the names of the institutions, telephone numbers, email addresses, and any other crucial details available to the relatives.
How long does it take to repatriate a deceased person from abroad?
Palaikutransportavimas.lt – support during times of loss
We will provide comprehensive assistance and support during the difficult period of losing a loved one, relieving you of all bureaucratic, logistical, and transportation-related burdens.
If your loved one passes away unexpectedly or abroad, call us immediately and we will ensure the prompt and reliable repatriation of the deceased to Lithuania. For your convenience, we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.