Repatriation
Five neighbouring countries, five different administrations.
The Western Balkans are among our most frequent destination regions. From the outside the countries look alike; administratively they differ markedly.
What follows applies to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro.
All require the Swiss laissez-passer and legalisation by their representation in Switzerland. All accept road transport, which makes the region attractive on cost.
All also have a substantial diaspora in Switzerland, which means the consulates know the procedure and generally work quickly.
None of these differences appear on any official website. They come from practice, which is why we always call before fixing anything.
By road, reckon on fifteen to twenty-five hours depending on the destination, with no freight and no transfer. For most of these countries that is the fastest route end to end and the cheapest.
Air makes sense above all when relatives are travelling at the same time and want to arrive with the coffin.
The municipality of burial. In several of these countries the burial permit is issued locally and can take a day or two. Request it alongside the Swiss file, not afterwards.
Four to seven days from the first call to handover is normal. With an expedited procedure on religious grounds, three days are possible.
We give you a range after the first conversation and a date after the consulate replies — never the other way round.
Questions & answers
Yes. We deliver to the agreed place, including remote villages. The final leg is simply reflected in the quote.
Often yes, into the official language of the destination country. We have sworn translations prepared and attach them to the file.
That is common and no obstacle. We coordinate directly with them or with the local funeral firm and keep you informed from Switzerland.
To these destinations, in most cases yes. The flight itself is short, but freight, customs clearance and waiting for a slot often add more time than the drive takes.