With a laissez-passer (permission for transport) you can have a deceased person transported abroad. The municipality where the person died must approve this transport. The laissez-passer bears the name of the deceased and the destination.
What do you need to know
Deceased in the Netherlands, transported abroad:
- The funeral director applies for a laissez-passer for you at the municipality where the person died and also arranges transport
- The laissez-passer is available in Dutch, English, French and German
- If you want to bring the deceased to Belgium or Luxembourg, you do not need a laissez-passer. You then have one permission for burial or cremation necessary
Deceased abroad, transported to the Netherlands:
- Repatriation: bringing a deceased person back to the Netherlands
After cremation
- According to the law, you do not need any special documents to transport ashes. It may be wise to bring a cremation certificate. You can request this at the crematorium
- There are no rules for transporting ashes. You can pack the ashes how you want (such as in an urn or jar) and also transport it how you want (such as by car, boat, mail)
What do you have to do
Tell the funeral director that you want to transport the deceased abroad.
Needed for the application
The funeral director will need the following documents from you:
- Valid ID
- Death certificate
- Certificate of death, for example: a medical certificate from a doctor or coroner or a certificate of natural death or a statement from the prosecutor
What does it cost
- Laissez passer: € 17,10
- Copy of death certificate: € 17,10
