Exhumation in Czechia and Reburial in Ukraine

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• Exhumation is governed by the Funeral Services Act (zákon č. 256/2001 Sb., o pohřebnictví), Section 22.
• The application is submitted by the grave plot leaseholder (nájemce hrobového místa). Proof of death and the written consent of the person who decides on burial matters under the Civil Code must always be attached to the application.
• The decomposition period is at least 10 years, and the exact period is set by the cemetery. Before it expires, exhumation is only possible with the consent of the regional hygiene station (krajská hygienická stanice, KHS).
• Czechia and Ukraine have a bilateral treaty on legal assistance: Czech documents for use in Ukraine do not require an apostille.
• Our exhumation service costs from €500 plus the cost of transportation from Czechia. We calculate the exact amount based on your situation.

Call +380 77 882 77 77Ask about exhumation

Who Can Request an Exhumation in Czechia

By law, the applicant is the leaseholder of the grave plot (nájemce hrobového místa). Usually, this is the relative who signed the grave lease agreement. In addition, the application must always include the written consent of the person who has the right to decide on burial matters (Section 114 of the Civil Code). The order of priority is as follows: if the deceased left no instructions, the spouse decides; if there is none, the children; then the parents; then siblings; then their children; and then any close person.

If the family is in Ukraine, there is usually no need to travel to Czechia. You sign a power of attorney and the written consent, and we prepare the application. If the grave lease agreement is in someone else's name or has already expired, we check this with the cemetery right at the start.

When It Is Permitted

• By law, the decomposition period (tlecí doba) is at least 10 years. Each cemetery sets the exact period in its rules, taking into account the soil conditions and the opinion of the KHS. For example, Prague cemeteries state a decomposition period of 10 years for graves in their price list. At other cemeteries it may be longer, so we check the rules of your specific cemetery.
• Before the period expires, exhumation is permitted only with the consent of the KHS.
• The law does not set separate seasonal bans. The date of the works is scheduled by the cemetery. We check on site whether there are any restrictions in winter.

During the exhumation, the cemetery operator must organize the work so as not to disturb public order and to prevent the spread of any potential infection.

Documents for Repatriation to Ukraine

• application from the grave leaseholder, consent of the cemetery operator, and, if the decomposition period has not passed, consent of the KHS;
• proof of death and the written consent of the person under Section 114 of the Civil Code;
• transit permit for the body (průvodní list, "umrlčí pas"). It is issued by the regional hygiene station if required under an international treaty (Section 9). We check with the KHS whether it is required for Ukraine;
• death certificate (úmrtní list).

An apostille is not required: the bilateral treaty on legal assistance between Czechia and Ukraine exempts documents from additional certification. We provide the Ukrainian translation. Before departure, we coordinate the document package with the Embassy of Ukraine in Czechia. The general list is on the documents page.

How Much Exhumation Costs in Czechia

Prices are set by each cemetery. Example: Prague Cemeteries and Funeral Services (Hřbitovy a pohřební služby hl. m. Prahy), price list effective January 1, 2025:

• exhumation of undecomposed remains (handling of remains only): 12 320 Kč;
• exhumation of decomposed remains: 4 314 Kč;
• disposal of hazardous waste after exhumation: 1 071 Kč.

Removing the ledger stone, excavation work, pallbearers, and the exhumation coffin are not included in these amounts. A new coffin for transportation and translations are paid separately.

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