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Death in the USA: Bringing the Body or the Ashes Home to Ukraine
Bringing someone home from the US means a flight across the ocean, which makes it one of the most expensive routes we handle. Repatriation of remains from the USA to Ukraine starts at €7,100, and an urn with ashes starts at €3,500. Many families choose cremation in America because of the price, and there is nothing wrong with that. Below we explain what goes into the cost, how to compare the two options and where families usually find the money.
How much it costs to ship a body from the USA, and why
The casket travels as separate cargo in the hold of a passenger plane. Airlines charge by the weight of the casket and its packaging, and a transatlantic flight is long. On top of that come the American paperwork, the apostille, translations, a sealed metal casket for the flight, a connecting flight to an airport near Ukraine and our vehicle to your town.
Embalming adds to the bill, too. Although no federal law requires it, most airlines will only accept an embalmed body on long-haul routes. The American funeral home charges for it separately.
Direct cremation in the USA: cost and what happens to the urn
A direct cremation with no service costs roughly $1,000 to $3,500, depending on the state and city. With a viewing and a ceremony, the total rises to several thousand dollars.
An urn costs far less to fly than a casket. In Ukraine it can be buried in a cemetery, placed in a columbarium or laid in a family grave. We bring an urn from the USA to Ukraine from €3,500, including paperwork, customs clearance and delivery to the family.
Families often learn two things too late. Cremation in the US needs approval from the county medical examiner or coroner, which takes a few days. And after cremation there is no way to say goodbye with an open casket.
Body or ashes: how to decide
Families bring the body home when they want a farewell at home, when insurance covers repatriation or when their faith requires it.
They choose an urn when money is tight, when the person wanted to be cremated or when relatives live far apart and no large funeral is planned.
The simplest way to decide is to price both options all the way to the door. Tell us the state, the city and where the person is going in Ukraine, and we will give you the full figure within minutes.
Who pays: where to find the money
Start with life insurance. In the US, many people have it through their employer, the payout goes to the beneficiary, and it usually covers the funeral.
Next, ask the employer or the union. Some companies have a fund for an employee's funeral, and HR will know about it.
If the person was in the US temporarily, look for a travel insurance policy. Some of these policies pay for repatriation.
Ukrainian parishes and communities in America often help as well. Fundraising on GoFundMe or similar platforms is common, and it works better when people can see an actual quote from the funeral home.
The Ukrainian consulate handles documents but does not pay for transportation. There is no government program that covers repatriation from the US. More on this in Who pays for repatriation.
How long repatriation from the USA takes
The American paperwork takes the longest. The state issues the death certificate, then you need a burial-transit permit and an apostille from the Secretary of State. After that come translations and approval from the Embassy of Ukraine. The flight with a connection and the drive add a few more days. We describe the whole process step by step on the page Repatriation from the USA.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a body from the USA to Ukraine?
From €7,100 for the whole journey, flight included. The burial coffin in Ukraine is free of charge. The exact price depends on the state, the departure airport and the destination in Ukraine.
How much does it cost to bring an urn home?
From €3,500. The family pays the American funeral home for the cremation itself.
Can I carry the urn in my luggage?
Some airlines allow an urn in hand luggage with the death and cremation certificates. But at the Ukrainian border you still need translated documents and a consular certificate, or the urn may be held.
Is embalming required?
Not by law, but most airlines require it on long flights. We will tell you in advance what your carrier needs.
Does the family need to fly to America?
Usually not. We handle the paperwork under a power of attorney. If the state requires a relative to sign in person, we will tell you.
What to do now
Find the life or travel insurance policy, if there is one. Find out which state the person is in and where exactly. Then call us on +380 77 882 77 77, day or night, or message us on Viber, WhatsApp or Telegram. We do not take prepayment for transport.
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