Exhumation in Hungary and Reburial in Ukraine

In 30 seconds.

The grave opening permit is issued by the district office acting in its public health capacity (népegészségügyi feladatkörében eljáró járási hivatal) at the cemetery's location.
The application is submitted by the person who holds the right to manage the burial plot, or their heir. This same person gives consent.
Within 5 years of death, a grave can only be opened for cremation, transfer to another burial site, or an additional burial. After 15 years from the burial, no permit is needed.
For transport abroad, a metal liner inside a regular coffin and an international transport permit are required.
Our exhumation service starts at €500 plus transport from Hungary. No upfront payment for transport.

Call +380 77 882 77 77 Ask about exhumation

Who Can Request an Exhumation

Under Government Decree 145/1999 (§ 35 and § 36), the application to open a grave for reburial is submitted by the person entitled to manage the burial plot (a temetési hely felett rendelkezni jogosult) or their heir. Their consent is mandatory. During the review, the authority checks how many people are buried in the grave, when they were buried, and whether the applicant is indeed the heir.

By law (§ 22), the grave is managed by the person who paid for the plot lease (megváltotta). If there are several heirs with equal rights, they must act together unless they have agreed otherwise. Therefore, consent is needed from all such heirs.

If the Family Lives in Ukraine

You do not have to travel to Hungary. The decree expressly allows a funeral service provider, authorized by the family, to apply for the grave opening permit and for international body transport (§ 53/A). You sign a power of attorney, we pass the documents to our partners in Hungary, and they handle the case. Documents from Ukraine are translated into Hungarian.

Law and Permits

Legal basis: Act XLIII of 1999 on Cemeteries and Burials (1999. évi XLIII. törvény a temetőkről és a temetkezésről) and Government Decree 145/1999 (X. 1.) on its implementation.

The grave opening permit (sírnyitás) is issued by the district office acting in its public health capacity at the cemetery's location (§ 35 of the decree). Uncovering a grave solely to place an urn inside is not considered a grave opening.

Time limits under the decree:

within 5 years of death, a permit is issued only for cremation, transfer to another burial plot, an additional burial, or at the request of investigating authorities (§ 37 para. 2);
after 15 years from the burial, a district office permit is no longer needed (§ 36 para. 3);
removing an urn from a columbarium niche or an urn grave does not require a district office permit (§ 39).

At least 10 days before the work, the cemetery posts the grave number and the time of exhumation on its notice board (§ 40). We did not find a statutory processing time for the application in the regulations, so we do not promise a specific number of days.

When Exhumation Is Possible in Hungary

Transferring remains to Ukraine falls under the permitted purpose of "transfer to another burial site." Therefore, even within 5 years, exhumation is possible with a permit.

There are restrictions due to infectious diseases. If a person died of cholera, plague, leprosy, yellow fever, epidemic typhus, glanders, AIDS, or viral hemorrhagic fever, the grave can only be opened one year after death (§ 35 para. 3 and § 29).

We found no seasonal bans in the decree. However, the law limits the temperature during body transport from March 1 to September 30: no higher than +18 °C inside the vehicle (§ 35 of the Act). Whether a cemetery has its own local rules is something we check with the local authority.

How the Exhumation Takes Place

The exhumation is carried out by cemetery staff or a funeral service provider. Local authorities may require that only the cemetery operator's services be used for exhumation (§ 40 of the Act).

For transport outside the municipality, a sturdy, watertight coffin with a lid is required. If the burial took place less than 10 years ago, the remains are also placed in a plastic bag. For transport abroad, or by plane, train, or ship, there must be a metal coffin inside (§ 43 of the decree). We use a hermetically sealed metal liner for transport.

Cremation after exhumation in Hungary is possible: the decree explicitly lists cremation among the permitted purposes for opening a grave and states that a permit for cremation must be granted if the death was not violent (§ 36 para. 5). In that case, an urn is brought to Ukraine, which is simpler. We can discuss together if this option suits you.

Documents for Transport to Ukraine

International Transport Permit

The Cemeteries Act (§ 36) states: transporting a body abroad requires a permit from the authority of the destination country and the Hungarian public health authority, unless an international treaty provides otherwise. Which specific office issues the permit in your case and what Ukraine will require is something we clarify for each individual case.

Embassy of Ukraine

The Consular Section of the Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary (Budapest) will advise which documents are needed to bring the remains into the country. We provide a full list of documents to each family individually.

Apostille and Translation

Both Hungary and Ukraine are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. An apostille is placed on Hungarian documents by authorized Hungarian bodies. We arrange the translation.

Reburial in Ukraine

Ukraine requires its own permit. Reburial is authorized by the executive committee of the local council at the new burial location. We arrange this permit together with the family.

It is best to arrange the cemetery plot in Ukraine in advance. To see how we transport a coffin or an urn, read our page on body transport from Hungary.

How Much It Costs

Prices for cemetery work are set by the cemetery owner, and for municipal cemeteries by a local government decree (§ 40 of the Act). As an example, here are the municipal cemetery fees in Kaposvár effective January 1, 2026 (excluding VAT):

Service (in Hungarian)	What it means	Price
Sírhelynyitás normál (koporsós)	opening a standard coffin grave	HUF 41,165
Sírhelynyitás, zárás kripta esetén	opening and closing a vault	HUF 25,440
Exhumálás	exhumation	HUF 11,970
Visszahantolás normál	refilling a standard grave	HUF 14,950
Urnasírhely nyitás	opening an urn grave	HUF 11,970

Other cities have their own rates, which we request for your specific case. The funeral service provider, permits, translation, apostille, transport coffin, and the transport itself are paid separately.

Our price: exhumation starts at €500 plus the cost of transport (repatriation) from Hungary. We calculate the exact amount for your situation. No upfront payment for transport: you pay after delivery under the contract.

How Long It Takes: From the First Call to the Funeral

Stage	Estimated time
Consultation, power of attorney, plot holder's consent	1–2 weeks
Confirmation of burial plot in Ukraine	1–2 weeks (in parallel)
District office permit (if less than 15 years)	from several weeks
Notice posted at the cemetery	at least 10 days before work
Exhumation	per cemetery schedule
International transport permit	1–2 weeks
Transport to Ukraine	1–2 days
Local council permit and burial	1–3 weeks

These timeframes are estimates. Most depends on the district office and the cemetery. At every stage, we will tell you honestly where the case stands.

Frequently asked questions

Who issues the exhumation permit in Hungary?

The district office acting in its public health capacity at the cemetery's location. After 15 years from the burial, this permit is not needed.

Is exhumation possible earlier than 5 years after death?

Yes, if the purpose is transfer to another burial site or cremation. This is the exact basis used for transport to Ukraine.

Can the remains be cremated and brought back in an urn?

Yes. The decree expressly allows opening a grave for cremation if the death was not violent.

Do we need to travel to Hungary?

No. A funeral service provider can submit applications on your behalf with an authorization. Our local partners handle the paperwork.

How much does exhumation cost in Hungary?

It depends on the city. In Kaposvár in 2026, opening a grave costs HUF 41,165, and exhumation costs HUF 11,970 excluding VAT. Our work starts at €500 plus transport.

What kind of coffin is needed for transport abroad?

A sturdy watertight coffin with a metal liner inside. If the burial was less than 10 years ago, a plastic bag is also required.

What to Do Now

Call us and tell us where the person is buried: city, cemetery, year of burial, coffin or urn.
Find the death certificate and the grave lease document, if you have it.
Identify who holds the right to manage the grave and sign a power of attorney.
Arrange a plot with the cemetery in Ukraine. We will take care of the rest.

Call +380 77 882 77 77 Ask about exhumation

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Exhumation in Hungary and Reburial in Ukraine: Permit, Time Limits, Documents