At a glance
- International document
- ligpas
- Issuing authority
- Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed
- Local level
- Københavns Kommune manages the city's funeral and cemetery affairs
- Medical information
- status of infectious disease is entered by the doctor with the medical certificate of death
- Initial response
- within 10 minutes
Which documents does the Danish health authority require for a ligpas?
The Danish Patient Safety Authority (Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed) lists six groups of conditions. Among them are medical data from the medical certificate of death, proof that the death was reported to the burial authority, a signed transport request and information on the construction of the coffin. Additional technical certificates may be requested for certain modes of transport. Each document has its own issuing authority.
A ligpas is required when the deceased is transported to another country. The Danish administration issues it through its supervisory and advisory units. The municipality of Copenhagen may hold information about local funeral procedures and city cemeteries, but it does not issue this national document.
How are city and state procedures connected?
Copenhagen's city portal brings together information about death, burial, cremation and grave sites. The ligpas application also needs the competent burial authority's decision confirming the death notification. This parish-level record and the city's cemetery information serve different purposes. The decision accompanies the supporting file sent to the national health authority; the responsible parish should be confirmed through the official burial procedure.
Københavns Kommune manages five municipal cemeteries. That local responsibility is not decisive when burial takes place in Serbia or another country, but it distinguishes municipal cemetery services from the national outward document. The ligpas is relevant for departure, while the country of burial determines the document required for final admission.
Which document comes from which part of the Danish system?
The order in the table follows the origin of the fact, its registration and international use. In special circumstances, the office with territorial jurisdiction may ask for additional evidence.
| Document | Issuing authority | Role in the case |
|---|---|---|
| Dødsattest | doctor | contains medical information about the death |
| Confirmation of application | competent burial authority | proves that the event has been officially reported |
| ligpas | Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed | accompanies the deceased from Denmark |
| Destination-country permit | competent mission of the destination country | enables reception at a confirmed address |
When is the legalisation of a Danish document checked?
The Danish Patient Safety Authority explains when a ligpas requires legalisation, including a destination or transit state not covered by a relevant agreement. Legalisation is not automatic in every case. Treaty status and destination requirements are therefore checked together before the document is submitted for further authentication.
This kind of check is important because the journey from Copenhagen can include a land, sea or combined segment. Transit states are not listed as a guaranteed route. Their legal regime is checked against the actual plan and confirmed destination.
Which details identify the correct Danish procedure?
The identity of the deceased, the health facility in Copenhagen, the status of the death report, the country and final burial city, the method of handover and the contact telephone number are important. If the destination information is missing, the legalisation or consular document cannot be properly checked. The family should not judge for themselves which international agreement applies.
An initial review of the case is provided within 10 minutes. The 48-hour timeframe applies only to a routine case after the ligpas and destination-country authorisation have been issued. We obtain routine documentation without a separate handling fee; official charges and special requirements remain subject to the issuing authorities. Fees charged by authorities or other institutions are paid according to their actual invoice.
Process for this case
- Step 1 of 4
Medical notification of death
The doctor records the data required for the further funeral procedure.
- Step 2 of 4
Confirmation of the death notification
The office with territorial jurisdiction confirms that the request for burial or cremation has been registered.
- Step 3 of 4
Review by the health authority
The state administration checks the coffin, forms and possible legalisation.
- Step 4 of 4
ligpas and destination-country document
Two documents are linked to the same final handover address.
Sources and review date
The official sources listed below were reviewed for the statements on this page. Responsibilities and forms can change, so the current version published by the relevant authority remains decisive.
- Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed – official guidance — Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed · reviewed
- Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed – official guidance — Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed · reviewed
- By-, Land- og Kirkeministeriet – official guidance — By-, Land- og Kirkeministeriet · reviewed
- Retsinformation – official guidance — Retsinformation · reviewed
- Københavns Kommune – official guidance — Københavns Kommune · reviewed
- Københavns Kommune – official guidance — Københavns Kommune · reviewed
- Council of Europe – official guidance — Council of Europe · reviewed
- European Commission — DG MOVE – official guidance — European Commission — DG MOVE · reviewed
- Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova Republike Srbije – official guidance — Ministarstvo spoljnih poslova Republike Srbije · reviewed
- Ministarstvo vanjskih poslova Bosne i Hercegovine – official guidance — Ministarstvo vanjskih poslova Bosne i Hercegovine · reviewed
- Ministarstvo vanjskih i europskih poslova – official guidance — Ministarstvo vanjskih i europskih poslova · reviewed
- Vlada Crne Gore – official guidance — Vlada Crne Gore · reviewed
Frequently asked questions
Who issues the ligpas for the deceased from Copenhagen?
It is issued by units of Styrelsen for Patientsikkerhed, the Danish state health administration.
Is the city application sufficient for an international departure?
No. Confirmation that the death was reported is supporting evidence; the separate ligpas authorises transport to another country.
Why is information about an infectious disease checked?
The Danish instructions require the doctor to mark that information in the medical part of the certificate for issuing a ligpas.
When is ligpas legalisation required?
When the destination or transit country is not covered by the relevant agreement and officially requests it.
Does the Copenhagen deadline start before state approval?
No. The stated timeframe begins when the Danish supporting documents are accepted and the destination-country permit is completed.