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 Sweden
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 repatriation from Minsk to Stockholm and anywhere in Sweden
The Swedish diaspora from Belarus is small but real: Belarusians who moved to Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö back in the 1990s, mixed families, IT specialists, students of Uppsala and Lund universities. When families need to send the body of a loved one from Minsk to Sweden, they face two languages, two visa regimes and complex Baltic Sea logistics. Our service takes that burden on: we answer calls at any hour, give clear instructions and escort the process from the Minsk morgue to a Swedish begravningsbyrå. We speak calmly and specifically, without unnecessary detail.
In Belarus we issue the Belarusian death certificate at ZAGS, obtain the forensic conclusion from the State Committee of Forensic Examinations in Minsk, prepare an embalming certificate and the zinc-coffin sealing act, and secure the export permit. The package is apostilled at the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Minsk — Sweden accepts the Belarusian apostille without further legalisation. A sworn translator translates into Swedish or English; both Skatteverket and Begravningsbyrån accept either language.
The main air route departs from Minsk National Airport (MSQ) with a transfer in Warsaw (LOT) or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), arriving at Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN), Gothenburg-Landvetter (GOT) or Malmö (MMX). Total transit time is 22 to 28 hours. A combined alternative is also available: a hearse from Minsk through Lithuania and Latvia to Klaipėda or Ventspils port, then a ferry to Karlshamn or Nynäshamn. Total duration is 4 to 6 days but the whole family can travel together.
On arrival in Sweden the partner begravningsbyrå meets the cargo at the airport or port, clears customs and coordinates burial or cremation with Skatteverket and the Kyrkogårdsförvaltningen. If required, we liaise with the Belarusian consulate in Stockholm. Traditional burials at parish cemeteries, cremation with ash scattering in minneslund, as well as Orthodox, Catholic and Muslim rites at the corresponding parishes in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö are all supported. The family receives copies of all Swedish permits.
The +375 29 314-59-59 line answers calls 24 hours a day, every day. On the first call we prepare a free quote: body preparation, zinc coffin, documents, apostille, air tariff or hearse plus ferry, customs in Sweden, handover to the begravningsbyrå. The price is locked in the contract and does not change without your consent. We accept payments in BYN, EUR, USD and SEK and issue a full set of financial documents. Call us — our coordinator will take responsibility for everything, from coffin sealing in Minsk to the service at the Swedish parish.
Quick summary
- Phone 24/7: +375 29 314-59-59
- Documents: ZAGS, forensic report, MFA apostille, Swedish/English translation
Frequently asked questions
Which Swedish cities do you deliver to?
We cover all of Sweden. The main air hubs are Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN), Gothenburg-Landvetter (GOT) and Malmö (MMX). From there our Swedish partners transport the cargo to Uppsala, Linköping, Norrköping, Västerås, Örebro, Jönköping, Helsingborg, Umeå, Sundsvall, Luleå and Kiruna. With combined ferry delivery through Karlshamn or Nynäshamn we drive the hearse directly to the begravningsbyrå address. We also serve small counties in northern Sweden.
What documents are needed in Belarus and Sweden?
In Belarus: Belarusian ZAGS death certificate, forensic conclusion from the State Committee of Forensic Examinations, embalming certificate, zinc-coffin sealing act, export permit and MFA apostille. In Sweden: international Laissez-Passer, apostilled dossier with Swedish or English translation, gravsättningsintyg and intyg för kremering from Skatteverket. Our team prepares both packages in parallel so there is no standstill at Arlanda airport.
How long does delivery from Minsk to Sweden take?
Air transport via Warsaw or Istanbul to Stockholm takes 3 to 5 days. That covers embalming, zinc-coffin sealing, the MFA apostille (one to two days, same-day express available), sworn translation and the flight with transfer. Combined hearse transport through Lithuania and Latvia with a ferry from Klaipėda to Karlshamn or Ventspils to Nynäshamn takes 4 to 6 days depending on ferry schedules and the final address.
How much does repatriation from Belarus to Sweden cost?
The quote covers: body preparation in Minsk, zinc and wooden coffins, ZAGS documents, MFA apostille, sworn translation, LOT/Turkish air tariff or hearse work with ferry, customs clearance in Sweden, handover to the begravningsbyrå. The final figure depends on weight, urgency and destination. Call +375 29 314-59-59 — our specialist will prepare a free transparent estimate in EUR or SEK and lock it into the contract without hidden fees.
Is a zinc coffin mandatory?
Yes. IATA rules, EU sanitary requirements and Swedish Socialstyrelsen standards require a hermetic zinc insert placed inside a wooden coffin. Sealing is performed in Minsk by our specialists with a sanitary inspector present, and a sealing act with a serial number is issued. Swedish customs and Begravningsbyrån verify zinc integrity on arrival. Opening the zinc coffin without Socialstyrelsen permission is forbidden — only the wooden lid is lifted for farewell.
How do I obtain the apostille in Belarus?
The apostille is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus at 19 Lenina Street in Minsk. Since Belarus is a Hague Convention member, the apostille is fully accepted in Sweden without additional legalisation. Standard processing takes one to two working days; express can be done the same day. Our lawyer files documents by notarised proxy, pays the fee and delivers the ready package to a sworn translator into Swedish or English.
Can I accompany the body to Sweden?
Yes. Relatives may fly on the same LOT/Turkish flight or ride with the hearse to the port and continue by ferry. For flights via Warsaw or Istanbul a Schengen visa is needed — the Swedish consulate in Moscow and Polish/Lithuanian visa centres in Minsk accept applications on an express basis with the death certificate. The hearse cabin offers one to two accompanying seats. We issue the accompaniment certificate for consulates and border guards.
What visas do relatives need?
Belarusian citizens obtain a Schengen visa at Swedish, Polish or Lithuanian visa centres in Minsk. With the apostilled death certificate and invitation letter from a Swedish begravningsbyrå, the visa is issued urgently within one to three working days. Citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan and other countries apply through their own consulates. We prepare the official invitation in Swedish and English and email it to the family.
Do you work on weekends and holidays?
Yes, the +375 29 314-59-59 dispatch line is staffed 24/7. We answer calls during New Year, Orthodox and Catholic Christmas, Radunitsa, Easter, Belarusian Victory and Independence Days, and Swedish Midsommar, Jul, Nyår and Allhelgonadagen. The body-collection team is dispatched at any hour. ZAGS and MFA paperwork is filed on the next working day, while body preparation and zinc-coffin sealing proceed in parallel.
What if documents are not ready yet?
Call immediately. We begin body preparation, embalming, zinc-coffin sealing and flight booking in parallel with the paperwork. Our lawyer obtains the medical death certificate from the State Committee of Forensic Examinations, registers the death at ZAGS, picks up the official certificate, submits it for the MFA apostille and forwards it to a sworn translator. If relatives are abroad, everything is done under a notarised power of attorney certified at the Swedish embassy or by a notary.