Road transportation
• Repatriation of the body from abroad to Belarus
• Transportation of the body to Russia and the CIS:
• Transportation of the body to Russia and the CIS:
Body repatriation from Belarus to Bosnia and Herzegovina
How to arrange transportation of a coffin with the body
Regardless of the mode of transportation (aircraft, road transport), delivery of cargo 200 is a highly responsible task, complex both documentarily and organisationally.
This procedure requires compliance with specific conditions (storage, transportation of the body) and involves the preparation of numerous permit documents for the transportation of cargo.
Full-service transfer of the deceased from Minsk to Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a multi-ethnic country with unique cultural and religious diversity: Bosniak Muslims, Serbian Orthodox, Croatian Catholics. In Belarus live former students from Yugoslavia, mixed families, refugees from the war years. From time to time there is a need to repatriate a deceased to Bosnia and Herzegovina for burial in the hometown, next to the family. Our agency arranges such international transfers end to end: from collection at a Minsk morgue to handover to a Bosnian funeral home at Sarajevo Airport (SJJ), Banja Luka (BNX) or Mostar (OMO).
Documents are prepared in Minsk. The district ZAGS issues the death certificate based on the forensic opinion of the State Committee of Forensic Examinations. We obtain the sanitary passport, embalming certificate and zinc-coffin sealing certificate. The certificate is translated into Bosnian (Serbian/Croatian — all three are official), notarised and apostilled at the MFA of Belarus. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Hague Convention member, so the apostille alone is sufficient without additional consular legalisation.
There are no direct flights from Minsk to Sarajevo. Typical routings are Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST–SJJ), Austrian via Vienna, Lufthansa via Munich or Frankfurt, LOT via Warsaw. Total travel time is 8–12 hours with transfer. An alternative is road transport via Poland, Hungary and Serbia (about 2000 km, 36–48 hours). The zinc coffin is sealed in Minsk and placed inside a wooden outer crate marked «Human Remains»; supporting documents are duplicated in Bosnian and English.
On arrival at Sarajevo Airport the shipment is met by our partner. Customs clearance with an apostilled death certificate takes 2–4 hours. The body is then transferred to the funeral home in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar, Tuzla, Zenica or other cities. Burial is available by Muslim rite (predominant in the Federation of BiH), Orthodox (in Republika Srpska) or Catholic. We coordinate services at local mosques, Orthodox churches or Catholic churches. Cremation capacity in BiH is limited.
Our dispatch desk operates 24/7. Call +375 29 314-59-59 for a fixed all-inclusive price covering the zinc coffin, embalming, documents, apostille, air or road transport and handover in Bosnia. Average lead time 5–7 working days. We accept bank transfers and work with insurers. We communicate in Russian, Belarusian and English, help with invitation letters and guarantee a dignified arrival of your loved one in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Quick summary
- Methods: Air via Istanbul/Vienna 8–12 h, or road via Serbia 36–48 h
- Documents: ZAGS certificate, forensic opinion, MFA apostille, Bosnian translation
Frequently asked questions
Where in Bosnia and Herzegovina do you deliver?
We deliver to Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar, Tuzla, Zenica, Bihać, Brčko, Trebinje and other cities across the country. Main points of arrival are Sarajevo (SJJ), Banja Luka (BNX), Mostar (OMO) and Tuzla (TZL) airports. From there a partner funeral home hearse transports the body to the selected parlour or directly to a Muslim, Orthodox or Catholic cemetery.
Which documents are required in Belarus and Bosnia?
In Belarus: ZAGS death certificate, forensic opinion of the State Committee of Forensic Examinations, embalming and zinc-sealing certificates, sanitary export passport, MFA apostille. In BiH: laissez-passer mortuaire, Bosnian (or Serbian/Croatian) translation, clearance from the Ministry of Health of the relevant entity and coordination with the municipality. We prepare everything in advance.
How long does delivery from Minsk to Bosnia take?
The full cycle is 5–7 working days. Documents with MFA apostille take 2–3 days, body preparation and zinc-coffin sealing one day, flight booking one day, the flight with transit via Istanbul, Vienna or Warsaw 8–12 hours, customs in Sarajevo 2–4 hours. Road transport via Serbia takes 36–48 hours. Urgent cases can be compressed to 4 days.
How much does repatriation from Belarus to Bosnia cost?
The price depends on the route, carrier, weight, embalming requirements and urgency. We quote a fixed price immediately and lock it into the contract — no hidden fees. It includes the sealed zinc coffin, wooden outer crate, embalming, full paperwork, MFA apostille, Bosnian translation, airfare, customs and handover in Sarajevo. Call +375 29 314-59-59 for a tailored calculation.
Is a zinc coffin required for Bosnia?
Yes, international transport of human remains to Bosnia and Herzegovina is performed exclusively in a hermetically sealed zinc coffin prepared at a certified ritual facility in Minsk. It is placed in a wooden outer crate labelled «Human Remains». We issue an official sealing certificate signed by the responsible technician, presented to sanitary and customs authorities in Belarus, transit countries and BiH.
How to obtain an apostille in Belarus?
The apostille is issued by the Main Consular Directorate of the MFA of Belarus at 19 Lenina Street in Minsk. Belarus has been a Hague Convention member since 1992, BiH since 1993, so the Belarusian apostille is recognised without additional consular legalisation. Standard issue time is 5–7 working days; via our lawyer filing in person at the MFA the apostille is obtained in 1–2 working days.
Can a relative accompany the body to Bosnia?
Yes, an accompanying relative travels on the same flight or nearest connection as a regular passenger, meets the body at Sarajevo or Banja Luka after customs and hands it over to the partner funeral home, or attends the burial directly. Belarusian citizens need a BiH visa or may use a valid multi-entry Schengen — we provide an invitation from the Bosnian funeral director for expedited issuance.
What visas do relatives need for Bosnia?
Belarusian citizens with a valid double- or multiple-entry Schengen visa can enter BiH without an additional visa for up to 30 days. Without Schengen a BiH visa is required — issued through the embassy in Moscow or online via e-Visa BiH. For bereavement reasons issuance is expedited to 3–5 working days. We provide the invitation from the Bosnian funeral director and a copy of the death certificate.
Do you work on weekends and holidays?
Yes, our dispatch desk operates 24/7, including state and religious holidays of Belarus and BiH (Ramadan Bayram, Kurban Bayram, Orthodox and Catholic holidays). ZAGS and the MFA are closed on weekends, so paperwork resumes on the next working day, but body preparation, embalming, zinc-coffin sealing and flight booking begin immediately. Call +375 29 314-59-59 at any time.
What if documents are missing on the day of death?
Under a notarised power of attorney from the family, our lawyer liaises with the clinic, the State Committee of Forensic Examinations and ZAGS. We help to reissue a lost passport via the Ministry of Internal Affairs and obtain residence certificates and the medical record. Body storage in our +2..+4 °C refrigerated facility is complimentary throughout. The full package is normally ready in 2–3 working days.