Exhumation in Lithuania and Reburial in Ukraine

In 30 seconds.

• The exhumation permit (leidimas ekshumuoti žmogaus palaikus) is issued by the NVSC upon an application from close relatives.
• A small state fee is charged for the NVSC permit; we confirm the current amount and processing time with the NVSC.
• If the remains are to be reburied elsewhere after exhumation, the written consent of the person responsible for the grave is required.
• Exhumation costs are paid by the person requesting it.
• Our exhumation costs from €500 plus the cost of transport from Lithuania. We calculate the exact amount based on your situation.

Call +380 77 882 77 77Ask about exhumation

Who Can Request an Exhumation

Under the Lithuanian Law on the Burial of Human Remains (Žmonių palaikų laidojimo įstatymas, Art. 25) and the Ministry of Health rules on issuing permits, the application is submitted by the spouse or partner, adult children, or parents of the deceased. If there are none, other close relatives may apply.

A separate condition applies to the grave plot. Since 2024, the government requires the written consent of the person responsible for maintaining the grave (už kapavietę atsakingas asmuo) if the remains are to be buried in another place after exhumation. The reason is simple: there were cases where a grave was opened without that person's knowledge. Therefore, we first find out whose name the grave is registered under and whether that person agrees.

If the family is in Ukraine, traveling to Lithuania is usually not necessary. The application can be submitted in writing, by mail, or electronically. We prepare the documents, and you sign a power of attorney. Documents proving kinship will need to be translated into Lithuanian.

When It Is Permitted

Rest Period

The duration of the grave's rest period is set by the cemetery supervisor (kapinių prižiūrėtojas). Until the end of this period, exhumation is only possible with an NVSC permit. We did not find a minimum period after the funeral before which one can request an exhumation in the official materials available to us. We clarify this with the NVSC.

Season

We found no seasonal restrictions in the official materials. The NVSC may set specific conditions in the permit.

Urn or Coffin

Amendments to the law in 2023, according to our information, exempt from the permit requirement the unearthing of urns and the moving of urns from one columbarium niche to another, provided a coffin is not opened in the process. Cemetery approval is still required. We clarify this in each individual case.

Documents for Transport to Ukraine

Usually required:

• NVSC permit for exhumation;
• written consent of the person responsible for the grave;
• death certificate (mirties liudijimas);
• documents for transporting remains across the border. We check with the local authority in each case which specific Lithuanian document is needed for taking exhumed remains out of the country.

Lithuania and Ukraine are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, so Lithuanian documents are apostilled and we translate them into Ukrainian. Ukraine is represented in Lithuania by the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Lithuania in Vilnius. We coordinate the accompanying border documents with the Embassy. A general list can be found on the documents page.

How Much Exhumation Costs in Lithuania

A state fee is paid for the NVSC permit; we confirm the amount with the NVSC. The work at the cemetery itself is paid for by the applicant, as stated by law. We found no official tariff for digging up a grave: the price is set by the cemetery or the funeral company. The new coffin, documents, apostille, and translations are paid for separately.

Our exhumation costs from €500 plus the cost of transport (repatriation) from Lithuania. We calculate the exact amount for your situation. There is no prepayment for transport; payment is made after handover according to the contract.