Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Germany to Ukraine
For families bringing someone home to Ukraine. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from Germany to Ukraine: what to expect
German nationals in Ukraine include aid workers and individuals with family ties. Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP) has been closed since February 2022. Repatriation requires routing through Poland, Romania, or Slovakia. The German Embassy in Kyiv can provide consular assistance where access is possible. German death certificates (Sterbeurkunde, in German) require certified Ukrainian translation and authentication by the Ukrainian Embassy in Berlin. Ukraine has been a Hague Apostille Convention member since 2003.
- Key document: Sterbeurkunde (death certificate) (in German)
- Documentation takes 3-5 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Death must be registered with the local Standesamt (civil registry) promptly.
- Ukraine Embassy in Berlin can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: Germany to Ukraine
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 112 for local emergency services, and contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Sterbeurkunde (death certificate) obtained.
Death must be registered with the local Standesamt (civil registry). Violent or unexplained deaths (Staatsanwaltschaft) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
Ukraine Embassy in Berlin notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation and permits obtained.
Allow 3-5 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Ukraine
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Ukraine funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
The process
What happens after a death in Germany
Call 112 for emergency services. Death is certified by a physician and registered with the local Standesamt (civil registry). The Sterbeurkunde is issued in German. Police and the Staatsanwaltschaft (public prosecutor) take jurisdiction for violent or unexplained deaths. Germany is an EU member and Hague Apostille Convention member.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Germany to Ukraine
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Germany to Ukraine takes 4-12 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 4 weeks. Complex cases can take 6 months or longer or longer.
Death must be registered with the local Standesamt (civil registry) promptly. Violent or unexplained deaths (Staatsanwaltschaft) may add time before the body can be released.
The core documents are: Sterbeurkunde (death certificate) with certified translation where required, embalming certificate, export permit, freedom from infection certificate, and passport of the deceased. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The Ukraine Embassy in Berlin can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Ukraine Embassy in Berlin as soon as possible after the death.
Violent or unexplained deaths (Staatsanwaltschaft) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
Death registration in Ukraine is handled by the State Registry of Acts of Civil Status (DRACS); certificates are issued in Ukrainian. Ukraine has been a Hague Apostille Convention member since 2003; apostille certificates are accepted. Kyiv Boryspil Airport (KBP) has been closed since February 2022; access must be arranged via Poland or Romania. All foreign documents require certified Ukrainian translation. Access constraints due to the ongoing armed conflict mean timelines are unpredictable. A specialist with current operational contacts is required. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required.
Cremation in Germany is widely available. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and relevant export documentation. Your repatriation specialist can advise on the current position.
In Ukraine
When the body arrives in Ukraine
Death registration in Ukraine is handled by the State Registry of Acts of Civil Status (DRACS) under the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. Death certificates are issued in Ukrainian. Ukraine has been a member of the Hague Apostille Convention since 2003; apostille certificates from member states are accepted. Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP) has been closed since February 2022 due to the ongoing armed conflict. Repatriation into Ukraine requires routing through neighbouring countries, primarily Poland via Warsaw (WAW) or Romania. All foreign documents require certified Ukrainian translation. A specialist with current operational contacts is required. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for all imports.
Consular support
Ukrainian Embassy or Consulate in Berlin can advise on current documentation requirements for repatriation to Ukraine. Ukraine has been a Hague Apostille Convention member since 2003. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Access constraints due to the ongoing armed conflict may significantly affect timelines.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Germany, please do not face this alone. Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing them home to Ukraine.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: Official guidance on a death in Germany (gov.uk) · Germany repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions