Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Norway to South Korea
For families bringing someone home to South Korea. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from Norway to South Korea: what to expect
Norway and South Korea maintain active bilateral ties, particularly in maritime industries and shipping. Norwegian nationals work in South Korea's maritime and engineering sectors, and Korean nationals are present in Norway in technology and education. The Korean Embassy in Oslo is fully operational. When a person with South Korean family connections dies in Norway, the death is registered with Folkeregisteret (the civil registration system). South Korea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; the Norwegian dodsattest must be authenticated through the Korean Embassy in Oslo and then legalised by the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul. A certified Korean translation is required for all documentation.
- Key document: dodsattest (death certificate) (in Norwegian)
- Documentation takes 3-5 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Death must be registered with Folkeregisteret (the civil registration system / Skatteetaten) promptly.
- South Korea Embassy in Oslo can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in Norway
Call 112 for emergency services (or 02800 for police, 113 for ambulance). Death is certified by a physician. The dodsattest is registered with Folkeregisteret (the civil registration system, administered by the Norwegian Tax Administration / Skatteetaten). The police take jurisdiction for violent or unexplained deaths. Note that deaths occurring in Svalbard require transfer to mainland Norway before any international cargo flight can depart. Norway is a Hague Apostille Convention member.
Step by step
Timeline: Norway to South Korea
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 112 (police 02800 / ambulance 113) for local emergency services, and contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Dodsattest (death certificate) obtained.
Death must be registered with Folkeregisteret (the civil registration system / Skatteetaten). Violent or unexplained deaths (police take jurisdiction) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
South Korea Embassy in Oslo 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 South Korea
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
South Korea funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In South Korea
When the body arrives in South Korea
The Korean funeral director (jang-ye-jido-sa) takes custody at Incheon International Airport (ICN) cargo terminal, or at Gimhae International Airport (PUS) for destinations in the south of the country. The local gu office (ward office) registers the death and a jang-ui-hwakinjung (burial or cremation confirmation certificate) is required before final disposition. South Korea has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 14 July 2007, so a document issued there is authenticated with an apostille from its designated authority rather than by full consular legalisation. A certified Korean translation is required for all non-Korean documentation. Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hour emergency line: +82 2 3210 0404. (Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025; Gu office / ward office civil registration, South Korea, 2025.)
Consular support
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Oslo can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to South Korea. South Korea is not a Hague Apostille member; all foreign documents require authentication through the Korean Embassy in the origin country followed by Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation in Seoul. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs emergency line: +82 2 3210 0404.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Norway to South Korea
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Norway to South Korea takes 3-6 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 14-21 days. Complex cases can take 8-16 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with Folkeregisteret (the civil registration system / Skatteetaten) promptly. Violent or unexplained deaths (police take jurisdiction) may add time before the body can be released.
The core documents are: dodsattest (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 South Korea Embassy in Oslo can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the South Korea Embassy in Oslo as soon as possible after the death.
Violent or unexplained deaths (police take jurisdiction) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Korean funeral director takes custody at Incheon (ICN) or Gimhae (PUS) cargo terminal. The gu office (ward office) registers the death. A jang-ui-hwakinjung (burial or cremation confirmation certificate) is required before final disposition. South Korea is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; all foreign documents require authentication through Korean embassy channels in the country of origin and then Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation in Seoul. A certified Korean translation is required. Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs emergency line: +82 2 3210 0404.
Cremation in Norway 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.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Norway, 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 South Korea.
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 Norway (gov.uk) · Norway repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions