Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Slovakia and bringing ashes home

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. This page sets out what Slovakia requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Slovakia

Cremation in Slovakia

Can you cremate someone in Slovakia?

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.

Religious context: Predominantly Roman Catholic. Lutheran and Greek Catholic minorities.

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

Who must release the body

Matrika (Registry Office) at local municipal level; Police (non-natural deaths)

Documentation language

Slovak

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of 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)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Slovakia

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case.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

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Matrika (Registry Office) at local municipal level; Police (non-natural deaths) has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Slovak
Routing home. 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.
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 Slovakia guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Slovakia

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Slovakia

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

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

Talk to us about cremation in Slovakia

We deal with Matrika (Registry Office) at local municipal level; Police (non-natural deaths) and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.