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 Malta
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 Malta International Airport
Malta has long been a hub for Belarusians — students on English-language programmes, IT professionals in Valletta’s blockchain companies, retirees with Maltese residence permits. When a relative dies in Belarus and the family wishes to bury them on the island beside loved ones, or when a Maltese resident of Belarusian origin passes away in Minsk while visiting, an international repatriation must be arranged. Our agency handles such cases end to end, from collection at a Minsk morgue to handover to a Maltese funeral director at Malta International Airport (MLA) or Valletta’s Grand Harbour.
The paperwork is prepared in Minsk. The district ZAGS issues the death certificate based on the forensic opinion of the State Committee of Forensic Examinations. We also obtain the epidemiological clearance, the embalming certificate and the zinc-coffin sealing certificate. The death certificate is translated into English (Malta’s official language), notarised and apostilled at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus. Malta is a Hague Convention member, so an apostille alone is sufficient; no consular legalisation through the Maltese embassy is required, which substantially speeds up the case.
There are no direct flights from Minsk to Malta. Typical routings are Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (IST–MLA), LOT via Warsaw (WAW–MLA), Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Munich, and Air Malta connections from European hubs. Total travel time from MSQ take-off to MLA landing is 8–14 hours including the transfer between aircraft. The zinc coffin is sealed in Minsk and placed in a wooden outer crate bearing the «Human Remains» label, with accompanying documents duplicated in English and Italian, the latter widely used across Malta.
On arrival at Malta International Airport the shipment is met by our Maltese partner funeral home. Customs clearance is standardised: with an apostilled death certificate, a laissez-passer and the certificates, the process takes only a few hours. The body is then transferred to the funeral home for preparation in accordance with Catholic, Orthodox or secular rites. Burial is available at Addolorata Cemetery in Paola, Santa Maria Addolorata, and municipal cemeteries in Mdina, Sliema, Gozo. Cremation capacity in Malta is limited; when required we arrange onward transfer to Italy.
Our dispatch desk is on duty around the clock. Call +375 29 314-59-59 for a fixed, all-inclusive quote covering the zinc coffin, embalming, full paperwork, MFA apostille, airfare and handover in Malta. The average lead time is 5–7 working days. We accept bank transfers, work with insurers and corporate clients. We communicate with families in Russian, Belarusian, English and Italian, ensuring the dignified arrival of your loved one at their final resting place on the Maltese islands.
Quick summary
- Methods: Air transit via Istanbul/Warsaw/Frankfurt, 8–14 hours
- Documents: ZAGS certificate, forensic opinion, MFA apostille, English translation
Frequently asked questions
Where in Malta do you deliver?
We deliver to any location across the Maltese archipelago: Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Birkirkara, Mdina, Rabat, Marsaskala, as well as the islands of Gozo and Comino. The main point of arrival is Malta International Airport (MLA). From there, a partner funeral home hearse takes the body to the selected funeral parlour or directly to the cemetery, including Addolorata Cemetery and the cemeteries of Sliema, Paola, Mosta and other communes.
What documents are required in Belarus and in Malta?
In Belarus: the ZAGS death certificate, the forensic opinion from the State Committee of Forensic Examinations, the embalming and zinc-sealing certificates, the sanitary export passport, and the MFA apostille. In Malta: a laissez-passer mortuaire, English translations of all documents, Department of Health Malta clearance and coordination with the parish or civil cemetery. We prepare every translation and legalisation in advance for seamless clearance on both sides.
How long does delivery from Minsk to Malta take?
The full cycle is on average 5–7 working days from the forensic opinion. Documentation with MFA apostille takes 2–3 days; body preparation and zinc-coffin sealing one day; booking and confirming the flight another 1–2 days; the flight itself with transit via Istanbul, Warsaw or Frankfurt 8–14 hours; customs in Malta a few hours. Urgent cases can be compressed to 3–4 days where medically and legally possible.
How much does repatriation from Belarus to Malta cost?
The price depends on the chosen routing, carrier, consignment weight, embalming requirements and urgency. We give a fixed price once the details are known and lock it into the contract — no hidden fees. It covers the zinc coffin and sealing, the wooden outer crate, embalming, full paperwork, MFA apostille, English translation, air freight, customs and handover in Malta. Call +375 29 314-59-59 for a tailored calculation.
Is a zinc coffin required for Malta?
Yes, international air shipment of human remains to Malta is performed exclusively in a hermetically sealed zinc coffin prepared at a certified ritual facility in Minsk. The zinc coffin is placed inside a wooden outer crate labelled «Human Remains». We issue an official sealing certificate, signed by the responsible technician, which is presented to sanitary and customs authorities in Belarus, the transit country and Malta throughout the whole journey.
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 party to the Hague Convention since 1992, and Malta recognises the Belarusian apostille without additional consular legalisation. The standard issue time is 5–7 working days; via our lawyer filing in person at the MFA, the apostille is typically obtained within 1–2 working days, significantly accelerating the overall transfer.
Can a relative accompany the body to Malta?
Yes, an accompanying relative travels on the same flight as the shipment or on the nearest connection as a regular passenger. They meet the body at Malta International Airport after customs clearance and hand it over to the partner funeral home, or attend the burial directly. Belarusian citizens require a Schengen visa — we provide a sponsor letter from the Maltese funeral director for an expedited application at the consulate.
What visas do relatives need for Malta?
Malta is a Schengen member and Belarusian citizens need a Category C Schengen visa. The Maltese Embassy is not present in Belarus; applications are filed via the Italian consulate in Minsk or through visa centres in Warsaw or Vilnius. For bereavement reasons the visa is issued on an expedited basis in 2–5 working days. We provide a sponsor letter from the Maltese funeral home, a copy of the death certificate and confirmation of the burial date.
Do you work on weekends and holidays?
Yes, our dispatch desk operates 24/7, including Belarusian and Maltese public holidays (including Catholic holidays and local Festa celebrations). ZAGS and the MFA are closed on weekends, so paperwork resumes the next working day, but body preparation, embalming, zinc-coffin sealing and flight booking begin immediately upon first contact. Call +375 29 314-59-59 at any time and we will begin work within minutes.
What if some documents are missing on the day of death?
We handle this scenario every day. 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 through the Ministry of Internal Affairs and obtain residence certificates and the medical record. Body storage in our +2..+4 °C refrigerated facility is complimentary during this period. The complete document set is normally ready within 2–3 working days.