Requirements for transporting human remains to Latvia

07.03.2019. 09:51

In order to transport human remains from the U.S., the following documents are required:

1. Certification issued by a competent U.S. medical authority indicating the cause of death. This document must be certified with an Apostille issued by the Office of the Secretary of State from the state in which the certificate was issued;

2. Death certificate, certified with an Apostille issued by the Office of the Secretary of State from the state in which the certificate was issued;

3. If transported in a coffin: Embalming Certificate – to certify that the remains of the deceased have been properly embalmed and are in proper sanitary condition,  certified with an Apostille issued by the Office of the Secretary of State from the state in which the certificate was issued;

4. If the remains are transported in an urn:  Cremation certificate, certified with an Apostille issued by the Office of the Secretary of State from the state in which the certificate was issued;

5. Declaration that the deceased is not known to be of an infectious nature or Certificate in Relation to removal of the body outside the state; declaration that the coffin/urn contains the remains/ ashes and only the remains/ ashes of the deceased, certified with an Apostille issued by the Office of the Secretary of State from the state in which the document was issued.

Please be informed that each airline company is entitled to determine additional requirements for transporting human remains, therefore in order to receive more detailed information, please contact the respective airline company which services are planning to be used. If planning to use several airlines, please consult with all of them.

The cremated remains must be transported in a durable, securely fastened and sealed urn.  If the remains are to be shipped by air in a coffin, contact information should be provided regarding the funeral home in Latvia whose representatives will be greeting the coffin upon arrival with special transport.  This information, to be provided by the family or kin of the deceased, should be coordinated with the funeral home in the U.S.