Transferring the Remains of a Previously Buried Deceased Person from Germany to Türkiye
Legal and Practical Steps for Moving Human Remains After Burial
Transferring the mortal remains of a person who has already been buried in Germany to Türkiye is a sensitive and complex humanitarian process.
Whether motivated by family reasons, religious considerations, or the explicit last will of the deceased, the procedure requires multi-party coordination and strict compliance with legal, health, and religious standards in both countries.
When is the transfer of remains from Germany to Türkiye allowed?
The transfer of remains is only possible after an official exhumation (Exhumierung). This is not granted automatically, but generally requires:
a written request submitted by first-degree relatives,
expiry of the minimum legally prescribed resting period (often 15 years, varying according to cemetery regulations and local municipality),
a valid justification (documented will of the deceased, religious reasons, family reunification in the homeland, etc.),
approval by the competent local health and administrative authorities.
Competent authorities in Germany
Friedhofsverwaltung (Cemetery administration)
Manages the cemetery and issues permission for exhumation and subsequent transfer.
Gesundheitsamt (Public health office)
Assesses health-related risks and supervises the exhumation to ensure compliance with sanitary regulations.
Ordnungsamt (Public order office)
Grants the official administrative authorisation for the transfer of remains.
Licensed funeral company
Carries out the exhumation, recovers the remains, and prepares them professionally for transport.
Standesamt (Civil registry office)
Updates civil records and issues additional copies of the death certificate or other necessary certificates, if required.
Step-by-step procedure for the transfer
Submitting a formal application to the cemetery administration (Friedhofsverwaltung)
The written application should include:
full details of the deceased and the grave location,
the applicant’s relationship to the deceased,
the reason for the planned transfer,
a basic transport plan (responsible funeral/transport company, receiving authority or cemetery in Türkiye).
Obtaining approval from the Gesundheitsamt (public health office)
The health authority will normally inspect the grave, evaluate any potential health risks and, if there is no concern, issue a health clearance.
Exhumation and preparation of the remains
The remains are exhumed by a licensed funeral company and placed in a special, securely sealed container (Urnenbehälter or similar transport box) that complies with international standards.
Applying for a corpse passport (Leichenpass)
For international transfer, a Leichenpass is required; this can be issued even if only skeletal remains are present.
Translation and legalisation of documents
All relevant documents (death certificate, exhumation permit, medical/health certificates, transfer authorisation) are translated into Turkish and, if needed, notarised and/or provided with an apostille.
Contacting the Turkish consulate in Germany
It is strongly recommended to seek prior confirmation for the entry of the remains into Türkiye and to clarify the formal requirements of the Turkish authorities.
Transporting the remains
The actual transport is usually arranged via a specialised international repatriation or funeral company, either by road or by air freight.
Customs and border procedures on departure and arrival
At both the exit from Germany and the entry into Türkiye, the transport must be declared to customs and border authorities; all documents should be readily available for inspection.
Required documentation
Original death certificate + certified translation into Turkish,
exhumation permit (Exhumierungserlaubnis),
certificate confirming absence of notifiable infectious diseases,
Leichenpass (corpse passport),
documentation from the transporting/funeral company,
proof of identity and legal status of the heirs or applicant,
written approval or confirmation from the Turkish consulate (not always legally compulsory, but highly recommended to avoid delays).
Important notes
The new burial place in Türkiye should be arranged in advance. Turkish authorities often request a letter from the municipality at the destination confirming that re-burial is permitted there.
The transfer of remains is subject to fewer restrictions than the transport of a full coffin, but a robust, tightly sealed container is still mandatory.
Conclusion
Transferring the remains of a deceased person from Germany to Türkiye is legally possible, but it requires careful adherence to administrative, health, and religious regulations in both countries.
The process should ideally be entrusted to a professional funeral company specialising in international repatriations, and coordinated closely with the Turkish consulate in order to avoid problems or delays at border crossings.
* The editorial and writing team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on extensive research and consultation of multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some information may not be fully verified. The information presented in this article should therefore be treated as an initial point of reference only. For final and binding guidance, always consult the competent authorities and official institutions.
