Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Latvia and bringing ashes home

Cremation is available in Latvia. Crematoria in Riga and Daugavpils. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn. This page sets out what Latvia requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Latvia

Cremation in Latvia

Can you cremate someone in Latvia?

Cremation is available in Latvia. Crematoria in Riga and Daugavpils. Ashes may be repatriated to the UK in a sealed urn.

Religious context: Lutheran majority. Roman Catholic minority in Latgale region. Orthodox Christian community.

Weighing cremation abroad against bringing your loved one home intact? How families decide between the two.

Who must release the body

Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde, PMLP (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs); State Police (non-natural deaths)

Documentation language

Latvian

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Latvia: Direct flights from Riga (RIX) to London Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton (Ryanair, Wizz Air, airBaltic). Frequent connections. Flight time approximately 3 hours.

Departure airports: RIX (Riga International Airport)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Latvia

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case. For Latvia the things that move it are:

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde, PMLP (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs); State Police (non-natural deaths) has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Latvian
Routing home. Direct flights from Riga (RIX) to London Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton (Ryanair, Wizz Air, airBaltic). Frequent connections. Flight time approximately 3 hours.
Whether you carry the ashes yourself or need them shipped

Considering full repatriation instead?

Some families decide they want their loved one brought home intact. The full Latvia guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Latvia

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Latvia

The step-by-step first response guide covers the first 24 hours in Latvia.

Official lists for Latvia

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
Lawyers, where an estate or an investigation needs local legal advice

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

Talk to us about cremation in Latvia

We deal with Pilsonības un migrācijas lietu pārvalde, PMLP (Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs); State Police (non-natural deaths) and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.