Repatriation of human remains
The deceased must be prepared and transported according to legislation of the municipality of the deceased. For repatriation of human remains you must take all necessary measures to ensure compliance with relevant international agreements (e.g. requirements for coffins and urns, clothing, embalming, laissez-passer). Different agreements apply to different destination countries.
Legal resources
Benelux
For transfer of human remains between Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg the Regulation for intra-Benelux transport of human remains applies.
Germany
For transfer of human remains to Germany the Berlin Agreement on the Transport of Human Remains (10 Februari 1937) applies.
Strasbourg Agreement
The Strasbourg Agreement of the Council of Europe on the Transfer of Corpses (26 Oktober 1973) is applicable in:
- Belgium
- Austria
- Cyprus
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Greece
- Iceland
- Latvia
- Luxemburg
- Moldavia
- the Netherlands
- Norway
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Turkey
- Sweden
- Switzerland.
Other countries
For all other countries the Regent's Order of 20 juni 1947 for the transport of corpses applies.
More info
Contact
Agentschap Binnenlands Bestuur
- Website
- www.vlaanderen.be/agentschap-binnenlands-bestuur opens in new window
- Contact form
- https://www.vlaanderen.be/agentschap-binnenlands-bestuur/contacteer-ons opens in new window
- binnenland@vlaanderen.be
- Telephone
- 02 553 40 21
- Address
Agentschap Binnenlands Bestuur
Herman Teirlinckgebouw
Havenlaan 88, 1000 Brussel, België
Directions opens in new window- Postaddress
Agentschap Binnenlands Bestuur
Koning Albert II laan 15 bus 215, 1210 Brussel, België