Transportation of an urn with ashes to the Czech Republic is allowed, and the nationality of the deceased is not decisive. The Embassy is not formally involved in the process of transferring the cremated remains to the Czech Republic and no consular fee is charged. Czech legislation requires that the dignity of the deceased be respected during the transportation, handling and placement of the urn.

We recommend that you contact directly the shipping or airline company you intend to transport/travel with. Specialised shipping companies should provide you with precise instructions on how to proceed. Alternatively, it is usually possible to arrange transport through funeral companies. In the case of personal transport, we recommend arriving at the airport early in case of security delays.

Any certificate of the place of burial in the Czech Republic shall be issued by the funeral service operator or the funeral service in the Czech Republic where the funeral is arranged. Translation of documents from/into Czech is the responsibility of the funeral organiser.

The urn must be stored securely in a closed container suitable for such purpose and must be clearly marked so that its contents are clearly identified. The container must be accompanied by the necessary documents required by the legislation of the country from which they originate, showing the place of final delivery.
 

Necessary documents:

• - the original death certificate; and
• - the original proof of cremation; and
• - relevant supporting documents (proof from the funeral home that the urn contains the cremated ashes of the deceased is also recommended).

The ashes and cremated remains may be x-rayed during transport in the same way as other luggage. When travelling with ashes, it is advisable to opt for lightweight urns crafted from materials like wood, and biodegradable materials such as paper, or plastic. The funeral home can offer guidance on choosing an appropriate urn.

Urns that are not suitable:

• - metal urns;
• - ceramic urns (due to being fragile);
• - marble/stone urns.