Ashes transport guide

Bringing ashes home from Slovakia

You have ashes in Slovakia and need to bring them home. This page covers what Slovakia requires before they can leave.

Quick reference

What does Slovakia require before ashes can leave?

Cremation is widely available in Slovakia. Major crematoria in Bratislava, Košice, and other cities. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn.

Routing from Slovakia: Direct flights from Bratislava (BTS) to London (Ryanair, Wizz Air, Flybe seasonally). Vienna (VIE) is approximately 1 hour by road: many families use Vienna for additional UK connections. Košice (KSC) serves eastern Slovakia with connections via Prague or Vienna.

Departure airports: BTS (Bratislava M.R. Štefánik International Airport), KSC (Košice International Airport)

Documentation language: Slovak

Authority that must release the case: Matrika (Registry Office) at local municipal level; Police (non-natural deaths)

The rules that apply on any route, and what you may do with ashes once home, are covered in bringing ashes into the UK.

What are the airline rules for carrying ashes?

If you are connecting through a third country on this routing, that country's rules apply to the transit as well, and should be checked separately.

What does Slovakia require to export ashes?

Cremation availability

Cremation may be restricted or unavailable in Slovakia due to religious or legal reasons. If you are dealing with ashes from a previous cremation held elsewhere, the export rules may differ. Contact us for guidance specific to your situation.

What affects the cost?

Carrying ashes home yourself is the least expensive way to bring someone back from Slovakia, and for many families it costs little more than the return flight they are already taking. We do not publish a figure, because what you pay depends on the case.

What changes the cost	Why
Whether the cremation has already taken place	Arranging it locally adds funeral director and crematorium involvement
Where the death happened	Distance to the nearest crematorium changes local transfer
Carrying versus shipping	Hand luggage costs nothing extra; a specialist courier is a separate arrangement
Documentation Slovakia requires	Export permits and translation, where they apply

Send us the details of your situation and we will give you a figure, with no obligation.

Full repatriation guide

Complete guide: repatriation from Slovakia

Official support

British Embassy in Slovakia: contacts and what consular staff can do

Need guidance?

We can help with ashes transport

We deal with Matrika (Registry Office) at local municipal level; Police (non-natural deaths) and the local crematorium directly.

Send an enquiry

Further guidance

Official lists for Slovakia

Published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for British nationals. We are not connected to the firms listed.

Translators and interpreters, for certified translation of the death certificate and permits

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Slovakia