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 Mongolia
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.
Repatriation from Minsk to Ulaanbaatar: documents, route, reception
Mongolia is a country with deep historical ties to Belarus through the Soviet education system and industrial cooperation. We are approached by families of Mongolian graduates of BSU, BNTU and BSMU who passed away in Minsk during visits to Belarusian spouses and children; relatives of Belarusian geologists and miners who worked at Erdenet and Oyu Tolgoi projects; and mixed families where one spouse wishes to be buried in the steppe according to nomadic traditions. Repatriation to Mongolia from Belarus is a rare but well-established route: we deliver the body from Minsk-2 airport (MSQ) to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) in Ulaanbaatar with full document support and 24/7 family assistance in Russian and English.
Document preparation in Belarus includes the standard package: medical death certificate from the State Committee of Forensic Examinations, civil death certificate from ZAGS, body export permit from the sanitary-epidemiological service, embalming act and zinc coffin sealing certificate. All documents are apostilled at the Belarusian MFA. Mongolia joined the Hague Convention in 2009, so the apostille is sufficient — consular legalization is not required. Translations into Mongolian are performed by a sworn translator in Minsk, or English copies are accepted. The Mongolian Embassy in Moscow provides remote consultation.
Logistics from MSQ to Ulaanbaatar (UBN) is built along two main routes. First — via Istanbul (IST) on Turkish Airlines, which operates direct flights from Minsk and has regular IST-UBN service; total travel time 14–20 hours with one transit. Second route — via Moscow (SVO) on Belavia or Aeroflot, then Aeroflot or MIAT Mongolian Airlines to Ulaanbaatar; 12–18 hours. An alternative is via Beijing with transfer to MIAT or Air China, but this requires a Chinese transit visa. Human remains are processed as HUM under IATA standards with English-language accompanying documents.
Reception at Chinggis Khaan Airport (UBN) is organized by our partner funeral home in Ulaanbaatar together with the consular department of the Russian Embassy in Mongolia (Belarus has an embassy in Ulaanbaatar that assists in emergency cases). Customs formalities take 4–8 hours. After release, transportation to the burial aimag (province) is arranged: Ulaanbaatar, Erdenet, Darkhan, Khovd, Bayan-Ölgii. For traditional Mongolian burials in the steppe, long-distance vehicle transport is arranged. Buddhist and shamanic ceremonies are conducted by local lamas and shamans according to family traditions.
Call +375 29 314-59-59 any time. Our dispatcher accepts the request, coordinates body collection in Minsk or any region of Belarus, arranges refrigerated morgue storage, embalming, coffin sealing and document processing. Within two hours after the call you receive a quote with a fixed price: all MSQ fees, coffin, apostille, HUM airline ticket, transit fees, meeting in UBN and handover to the local agency. The price is fixed in a Russian-language contract. No hidden charges. We work through all holidays — both Tsagaan Sar (Mongolian New Year) and Belarusian New Year.
Quick summary
- Documents: ZAGS certificate, Belarus MFA apostille (Mongolia — Hague since 2009)
Frequently asked questions
Where in Mongolia do you deliver?
The main point is Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) in Ulaanbaatar. After customs clearance we arrange ground delivery by hearse to any aimag of Mongolia: capital Ulaanbaatar, Erdenet, Darkhan, Khovd, Mörön, Choibalsan, Bayan-Ölgii. Travel takes 2 to 20 hours along steppe dirt roads. For burials in remote sums, off-road transport is used. Buddhist and shamanic ceremonies are organized by local lamas according to family traditions.
What documents are required for repatriation to Mongolia?
In Belarus: medical death certificate from the State Forensic Committee, civil ZAGS certificate, sanitary service permit, embalming act, zinc coffin sealing certificate, Belarus MFA apostille. Since Mongolia has been a Hague Convention member since 2009, consular legalization is not required. Translations into Mongolian are done by a sworn translator in Minsk, or English versions are accepted. We prepare the entire package turnkey.
How long does delivery from Minsk to Ulaanbaatar take?
Full cycle — 4–6 business days. Document preparation and MFA apostille — 2 days. Embalming, coffin sealing — 1 day. Flight from MSQ via Istanbul or Moscow to UBN — 12–20 hours with transit. Customs clearance in Ulaanbaatar — 4–8 hours. Ground transport to remote aimags adds 1–2 days. Expedited delivery with courier document processing fee reduces the period to 3–4 days.
How much does repatriation from Belarus to Mongolia cost?
The cost is calculated individually and depends on the choice of airline (Turkish Airlines, Aeroflot, MIAT), seasonality and additional services. The base price includes: embalming, zinc coffin with sealing, wooden crate, Belarus MFA apostille, HUM airline ticket from MSQ, transit fees, UBN meeting, customs clearance and handover to the local partner. The exact amount is fixed in a contract after the call. No hidden surcharges — the price does not change from signing to execution.
Is a zinc coffin mandatory for Mongolia?
Yes, a sealed zinc coffin is mandatory under IATA standards and Mongolian sanitary import rules. The coffin is made in Minsk at a specialized funeral agency, sealed with certificate issuance, placed in a wooden transport crate with HUM marking in English. The Belarusian sealing certificate is recognized by all transit countries — Turkey, Russia, China — and Mongolian sanitary services. Air HUM transport is impossible without a zinc coffin.
How to obtain an apostille in Belarus for Mongolia?
The apostille is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus at 19 Lenin Street, Minsk. Originals of the ZAGS certificate, medical certificate, sanitary permit and embalming act are submitted. Standard timing — 2 business days, expedited — 1 day. Mongolia recognizes the Belarusian apostille without additional consular legalization, as it is a Hague Convention member since 2009. We handle the entire procedure including Mongolian translation.
Can the body be accompanied to Ulaanbaatar?
Yes, accompaniment is possible. A relative buys a regular passenger ticket on the same flight. Belarusian citizens can stay in Mongolia without a visa for up to 30 days — the visa-free agreement has been in effect since 2013. This is sufficient for a funeral trip. A transit visa via Istanbul, Moscow or Beijing may be needed depending on the route — we verify in advance. We help arrange all travel documents for the accompanying person.
Do Belarusians need a visa for Mongolia?
No, since 2013 a visa-free agreement has been in force: Belarusian citizens can stay in Mongolia for up to 30 days without a visa. This is sufficient for a funeral trip. For stays over 30 days, a visa is issued at the Mongolian Embassy in Moscow or through the e-Visa system. Children under 16 only need a record in the parent's passport. We provide an invitation letter from the local funeral partner to simplify border control.
Do you work on Belarusian and Mongolian holidays?
Yes, dispatch +375 29 314-59-59 operates 24/7 all 365 days a year, including January 1 and 7, March 8, May 1 and 9, July 3, November 7, December 25 in Belarus and Tsagaan Sar (Mongolian Lunar New Year, January-February), Naadam (July 11–13). Body collection in Minsk and region — at any time. Apostille and Mongolian government offices do not work on holidays, but body preparation, MSQ flight booking and all technical actions continue non-stop.
What if documents are not ready on the day of death?
This is a usual situation. Call +375 29 314-59-59 immediately upon death. We collect the body in Minsk or the region, ensure refrigerated storage, begin embalming. In parallel our lawyers arrange the entire package: ZAGS certificate, medical conclusion, sanitary permit, Belarus MFA apostille. The family only needs to provide the deceased's passport and a contact of the relative in Mongolia. Everything else is our turnkey work, with daily reporting on processing progress.