International transportation of the deceased from abroad requires the engagement of a funeral company that provides international funeral services. The search for a better life in other countries has been rooted in our people for a long time. However, it has become especially pronounced in recent years. It is estimated that every month more than 4,000 people leave Serbia, which equates to 51,000 annually.
According to statistical data, nearly 3 million of our citizens live and work in a foreign country, while around 300,000 are temporarily residing. The majority of them, 1.6 million, are in countries of the former Yugoslavia. Following the Balkans, North America ranks second with 830,000 Serbs.
Germany is one of the favorite countries for our people who seek better opportunities. In Germany, 450,000 of our citizens reside. Next are Austria with 300,000 and Switzerland with about 200,000. Our population also gladly settles in the UK. Despite its strict residence visa regulations, the latest data indicates there are 80,000 Serbs living there.
Given the large number of our compatriots living abroad, the transportation of the deceased from the diaspora is a highly sought-after funeral service.
When did organized transportation of the deceased from abroad begin?
From the dawn of humanity, people have revered their ancestors, honoring the deceased with various rituals. One of these rituals is transporting the deceased to their burial site. In Egypt, special wooden stretchers with wheels were used, while in Greece, coffins were carried by hand by funeral procession members.
International transportation of the deceased became organized in the early 19th century. By 1854, there was international transportation thanks to a funeral train that departed from London. Still, the most notable transport of this kind in that era was the train that carried American President Abraham Lincoln’s body for two weeks, traveling from Washington to Springfield.
In the early 20th century, motor vehicles began to be used for transporting the deceased both to cemeteries and from other countries.
What documentation is necessary for transporting the deceased from abroad?
The first step in organizing transport to Serbia is obtaining a funeral license. This document serves as a transport permit. Requests for its issuance are submitted to the Embassy or Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia. You also need to provide the deceased person’s passport, death certificate, birth certificate, and marriage certificate if the deceased was married.
Required documents also include a cause of death certificate, a sanitary inspection certificate regarding the coffin’s safety, and a request specifying the burial place and which funeral company will handle and transport the body.
For Covid-19-related funerals, you must also have the approval of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia for transportation.
The best transportation of the deceased from abroad
Besides the administrative aspect, organizing transportation also involves securing a vehicle specially designed for such transport, meaning it must have a safety certification. Only such vehicles guarantee safe and secure transport.
In moments of immeasurable grief due to the loss of a loved one, Drnda International funeral company is your steadfast support. Our decades-long tradition of not only organizing funerals but also transporting the deceased from abroad has made us a recognizable brand in Serbia and the Europe. Call us immediately, and we will arrange the transportation of the deceased from any country in Europe for you.
The transportation of the deceased is provided for all countries in Europe, which include Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vatican City.