Exhumation in Bulgaria and Reburial in Ukraine

Briefly in 30 seconds.

• Main document: Regulation No. 2 of April 21, 2011 on health requirements for cemeteries, burial, and transport of the deceased (Наредба № 2 от 2011 г.).
• Raising a body earlier than 8 years after burial is only possible by order of a court or prosecutor. For specific cemeteries, the Chief State Health Inspector may set a shorter period.
• A body can be taken out of Bulgaria with a permit from the director of the Regional Health Inspectorate (RZI). It is issued within 24 hours, and the fee is €10.23.
• Export requires a metal coffin with a filtration system or another option explicitly named in the regulation, hermetically sealed.
• Our exhumation service costs from €500 plus the cost of transport from Bulgaria. We calculate the exact amount based on your situation.

Call +380 77 882 77 77Ask about exhumation

Who Can Request an Exhumation in Bulgaria

According to the regulation, the application for a permit to transport a body abroad is submitted by a spouse, a relative, or a person authorized by them. It can also be submitted through a funeral agency under a power of attorney or contract. If the agency is not registered in Bulgaria, a document confirming its registration in its home country is attached.

The cemetery owner decides who approves the actual exhumation at the cemetery. Under the regulation, cemeteries are managed by their owners or persons authorized by them, which is often the municipality (община) or its municipal company. We check the exact procedure for a specific cemetery with the municipality.

If the family is in Ukraine, there is usually no need to travel to Bulgaria. You sign a power of attorney, we prepare the applications, and we translate the documents proving kinship into Bulgarian.

When It Is Possible

• Less than 8 years after burial: only by order of a court or prosecutor. A simple application from the family is not enough.
• More than 8 years: exhumation can be planned with the cemetery owner.
• For a specific cemetery, the period may be shorter if set by the Chief State Health Inspector. We check this right away.

We found no seasonal bans in the regulation; the date of the work is set by the cemetery. The regulation does not contain separate rules for cases of infectious diseases during exhumation, but the grave must be disinfected after the work is done.

Urn. For export, cremated remains are placed in a suitable container that clearly states what is inside.

Documents for Transport to Ukraine

An application to the RZI director using the standard form, accompanied by:

• a copy of the medical death notification;
• a copy of the death record or an extract from it (препис-извлечение);
• a copy of the deceased's identity document;
• a copy of the cremation permit, if cremation took place;
• a certificate from a forensic medical examiner, if an autopsy or treatment of the remains was performed;
• a power of attorney or contract with the funeral agency;
• proof of fee payment.

The RZI checks the documents and the coffin within 24 hours and issues the permit within 24 hours. The regional administration places an apostille on the death certificate issued by the municipality. Next is the translation into Ukrainian. Before departure, we coordinate the document package with the Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria. The general list is on the documents page.

How Much Exhumation Costs in Bulgaria

The state fee for the RZI permit to export a body is €10.23. Prices for cemetery work are set by the cemetery owner, and they vary in each municipality. Paid separately:

• cemetery work;
• a new coffin for transport;
• apostille and translations;
• dismantling of the headstone.

Our exhumation service costs from €500 plus the cost of transport (repatriation) from Bulgaria. We calculate the exact amount for your situation, including local fees. For transport, we work without prepayment: payment is made after handover according to the contract.