Cremation in Norway and Taking the Ashes to Ukraine

In brief (30 seconds).

• The cremation request (begjæring om kremasjon) is submitted by the person responsible for the funeral. If the deceased did not appoint anyone, this is the closest relative in the order set by law.
• The coffin must be handed over for cremation no later than 10 working days after death.
• The crematorium notifies the police about the cremation at least 3 days in advance.
• In Oslo, cremation is free for city residents; for others in 2026, it costs 9,430 NOK.
• Transporting an urn with ashes to Ukraine costs from 800, € with no prepayment.

Call +380 77 882 77 77Ask about urn transport

Who Gives Consent for Cremation in Norway

A person over 18 can appoint in writing, with a signature and date, who will handle their funeral. If there is no such declaration, the right and duty to arrange the funeral belong to the closest relatives over 18 in the following order:

1. spouse or partner with whom the person lived in a marriage-like relationship;
2. children;
3. parents;
4. grandchildren;
5. grandparents;
6. brothers and sisters;
7. nieces and nephews;
8. uncles and aunts.

A spouse who was officially separated at the time of death (separasjon by court or authority decision) does not have this right. If relatives disagree on who is responsible for the funeral, the municipality (kommune) decides. This decision cannot be appealed.

The person responsible for the funeral is called the gravferdsansvarlig. They submit the request for cremation and later decide where the urn will be buried.

If the Family Is in Ukraine

You do not have to travel to Norway. A funeral home (begravelsesbyrå) usually arranges everything with a power of attorney from the family. In Oslo, the urn is released to a person with valid ID or a signed power of attorney from the gravferdsansvarlig. You sign the power of attorney, and our partners in Norway handle the rest. We will clarify whether the power of attorney needs translation before we begin.

How Long Does Cremation Take

The coffin must be handed over for cremation no later than 10 working days after death. This deadline does not apply if a forensic examination or autopsy is ordered. The cemetery authority (gravplassmyndigheten) may extend the deadline if there are strong reasons.

At the same time, cremation cannot happen too quickly: 3 days are needed to notify the police. In Oslo, the date of cremation is set by the city cemetery agency (Gravplassetaten), unless agreed otherwise. The family may attend or agree on a time.

For a family in Ukraine, this means one thing: the decision must be made quickly. Call us in the first few days after the death.

The Urn for Transport

After cremation, the ashes are placed in an urn along with a fireproof plate bearing the cremation number. The urn is sealed and marked with the number and the name of the deceased.

Norwegian rules require an urn made of organic material that decomposes in the ground. It must withstand regular postal shipping and be no larger than 40 × 25 × 25 cm. For a long journey, we recommend a sturdy urn without glass.

If transported by plane, the urn is usually taken in carry-on luggage by prior arrangement with the airline. At security, it is X-rayed. Each airline sets its own rules.

Can You Transport the Urn Yourself?

Yes. The urn is released to the gravferdsansvarlig or to a person holding their power of attorney.

Where problems usually arise: there is no confirmation of a burial plot in Ukraine; the six-month deadline is running out; the urn was not cleared with the airline; translations are missing. If time is short or you cannot travel, it is better to entrust this to us.

Burying the Urn in Ukraine

The urn can be buried in a separate grave, placed in a columbarium, or buried in an existing family grave. You will need permission from the cemetery and the documents we bring with the urn. Read more in the article on urn burial.