At a glance
- Provided by the family
- valid passport
- Civil record
- death certificate
- Travel record
- export or mortuary passport
- Destination proof
- entry permit or burial confirmation
The purpose of each document
Document names vary between countries, so the safest comparison is by function. A death certificate proves that the death was registered; it does not by itself authorise international transport. A medical certificate records the cause and circumstances; it does not replace a destination entry permit.
| Document or evidence | Typical issuer | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Passport of the deceased | national passport authority | identity and nationality |
| Death certificate | civil registry office | official registration of death |
| Medical cause-of-death record | doctor, hospital or forensic service | medical facts relevant to release and transport |
| Investigative release | police, prosecutor, court or coroner system | allows release where a death is investigated |
| Export or mortuary passport | authority designated by departure-country law | permits international transport from that country |
| Consular or destination permit | embassy, consulate or destination authority | entry or transit under destination law |
| Burial-place confirmation | cemetery, municipality or religious body | confirms the receiving location |
Country of departure
The UK and Ireland use different institutional and legal structures from Germany, the Netherlands or Scandinavia. In Germany, funeral law is made at federal-state level, so the office issuing a Leichenpass is not identical everywhere. In the Nordic countries, civil registration, medical release and transport approval follow their national systems. The issuing office should always be recorded on the case file rather than guessed from an English translation.
Destination and transit
Serbia normally requires a consular sprovodnica. Bosnia and Herzegovina has several administrative levels, so the exact destination municipality matters. Croatia is in the European Union and Schengen area, but funeral and public-health requirements remain applicable. Montenegro applies its own entry rules. A route through another country may add transit documents even when the departure and destination papers are complete.
Special circumstances
An investigation or post-mortem examination delays release until the competent authority decides. Infectious-disease cases may require additional protective measures. Exhumation requires permissions linked to the existing grave and new destination. Cremated remains require a cremation certificate and have a different transport file from a coffin.
The family’s essential starting contribution is the passport. Authorities and responsible institutions issue the official records; the exact list is confirmed against the actual route.
Frequently asked questions
Is the deceased person's passport always needed?
It is the normal identity document used for the case. If it is unavailable or expired, the competent authorities decide which alternative evidence is acceptable.
What is a Leichenpass?
It is the German or Austrian term commonly used for the official mortuary passport accompanying an international coffin transport. The issuing authority depends on regional law.
What is a consular permit called in Serbia?
The document is commonly called a sprovodnica. It is issued for entry or transit after the consular authority checks the required case papers.
Are marriage and birth records always required?
Not in every case. They may be requested to establish civil status, identity or family relationship where names or records need clarification.
Do documents need an apostille?
That depends on the document, issuing country, destination and applicable treaty. The receiving authority determines whether a multilingual form, apostille or legalisation is required.
What document is added for an urn?
A cremation certificate is central. The destination may still require a consular transit or entry permit, but coffin construction rules do not apply in the same way.