When a family loses a loved one who passed away away from their place of residence, or when the funeral is being organized in a different city or even abroad, an additional question arises: how to arrange the transport of the deceased. This process involves specific documentation, permits, and logistics that differ from standard funeral arrangements within Zagreb. Below is an overview of the steps to help families navigate this situation.

When transport of the deceased is required

The need to transport the deceased arises in several situations: when a person passes away in another city within Croatia and the funeral is organized in Zagreb (or vice versa); when a person passes away abroad and the family wishes to hold the funeral in Croatia; or when the family wishes to transport the deceased abroad for burial in their hometown or near close relatives. Each of these situations requires a different approach regarding documentation and organization.

Transport of the deceased within Croatia

Domestic transport is an administratively simpler procedure than international transport. It is necessary to obtain a death certificate from the attending physician or hospital, as well as a transport permit, which is usually issued by the competent authority. Typically, the funeral home handles the entire process—from collecting the deceased at the place of death and managing the paperwork to transporting the body in a specialized vehicle to the chosen cemetery or morgue.

For the family, the most important step is choosing a funeral home with experience in such cases and the ability to respond quickly, as time is often a crucial factor—especially in the case of a traditional burial rather than cremation.

Transport of the Deceased from Abroad to Croatia

When a person passes away abroad, the family usually first contacts the Croatian embassy or consulate in that country, which assists in coordinating with local authorities. Transporting the deceased from abroad requires international documentation, including:

An international death certificate, a certificate stating the cause of death (particularly important if death resulted from an infectious disease, as this affects transport conditions), a permit for the transport of human remains issued by the competent authorities of the country where the death occurred, and, in certain cases, a specially prepared (sealed, zinc-lined) coffin that meets international transport standards.

A funeral home in Zagreb can handle communication with foreign funeral services and coordinate the entire transport process—including customs formalities if necessary—as well as arrange for the collection of the deceased at a border crossing or airport.

Transporting the deceased from Croatia abroad

The reverse scenario—where a family wishes to transport the deceased from Croatia to another country—requires a similar procedure: a transport permit, appropriate documentation, and compliance with the specific regulations of the destination country. For instance, some countries require the body to be embalmed prior to transport, while others enforce stricter rules regarding the type of coffin that may be used.

The role of the funeral home in organizing transport

An experienced funeral home takes on the bulk of the logistical burden, including preparing and verifying documentation, communicating with relevant authorities in Croatia and abroad, arranging a vehicle suitable for transporting human remains, and coordinating the burial or cremation schedule based on the family’s preferences and the availability of local facilities.
This type of support is invaluable to families who, in addition to the emotional weight of their loss, find themselves navigating unfamiliar administrative procedures—often under time constraints.

Costs of transporting the deceased

The cost of transport depends on several factors: distance, the mode of transport (ground or air), required documentation, and additional services such as embalming or specialized coffin packaging. Transport costs within Croatia are generally lower and more predictable, whereas international transport can be significantly more expensive due to additional administrative and logistical requirements. It is advisable to request a cost estimate from the funeral home in advance so the family can plan their budget.

Tips for the family

To ensure the process of transporting the deceased goes as smoothly as possible, families are advised to promptly contact a funeral home experienced in both domestic and international transport, gather all available documentation regarding the deceased (personal identification, medical records), and designate a single family contact person to liaise with the funeral home and relevant authorities, thereby avoiding confusion and delays.

Conclusion

Organizing the transport of the deceased outside Zagreb or abroad is a complex process involving numerous administrative steps; however, with the right support, it need not be an additional source of stress for the family. Our team at In Memoriam – Zagreb is experienced in organizing the transport of the deceased both within Croatia and from abroad, and we are available 24/7 to provide full support to families and handle the administrative burden during these difficult times.