Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Russia and bringing ashes home

Cremation facilities are available in Moscow, St Petersburg, and other major cities. Rural areas typically have no cremation facilities. Ashes export requires a cremation certificate and Ministry of Health clearance. The ashes of a British national can be brought home to the UK as accompanied or unaccompanied baggage subject to airline and carrier rules. This page sets out what Russia requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Russia

Cremation in Russia

Can you cremate someone in Russia?

Religious context: Russian Orthodox Christianity is the majority faith, with burial the traditional practice. Cremation is available in major cities. Significant Muslim population in regions such as Chechnya, Dagestan, and Tatarstan, where Islamic burial practice (swift burial, no cremation) is the norm.

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

Who must release the body

ZAGS Civil Registry Office for death registration; Investigative Committee of Russia for non-natural deaths; Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation required for all export documents

Documentation language

Russian

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Russia: Direct UK-Russia passenger and cargo flights suspended since 2022. Remains route via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), or other non-Western hub airports. Total journey time highly variable depending on connection availability and diplomatic clearances.

Departure airports: Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO); Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME); St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Russia

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether ZAGS Civil Registry Office for death registration; Investigative Committee of Russia for non-natural deaths; Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation required for all export documents has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Russian
Routing home. Direct UK-Russia passenger and cargo flights suspended since 2022. Remains route via Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Dubai (Emirates), or other non-Western hub airports. Total journey time highly variable depending on connection availability and diplomatic clearances.
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 Russia guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Russia

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Russia

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

Official lists for Russia

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 Russia

Talk to us about cremation in Russia

We deal with ZAGS Civil Registry Office for death registration; Investigative Committee of Russia for non-natural deaths; Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation required for all export documents and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.