Preparing funeral documents in Latvia: A step by step guide
Organizing a funeral is not only an emotional experience but also requires promptly handling numerous legal matters. One of the most common questions we receive is: “What documents are needed for a funeral, cremation, or repatriation in Latvia?”
We, ANGEL Funeral Home, support and manage the entire documentation process for funerals, cremation, repatriation, and exhumation. We operate in Riga, Jurmala, and throughout Latvia. We assist both in straightforward situations and in complex cases requiring coordination with government authorities, consulates, or international organizations.
Below is a complete list of documents required for different types of funeral procedures, along with recommendations and important details to keep in mind.
Documentation for different types of funeral services
The list of documents required for a funeral in Latvia depends on the type of farewell chosen by the family. Each option requires its own set of certificates and permits. The main types of funeral procedures include:
In addition to the funeral, there are other post-death arrangements that require specific documentation:
Here is a detailed guide on which documents are needed in each case and key points to keep in mind when arranging them.
Preparation of documents for a funeral with traditional burial
The most common type of ceremony in Latvia is the traditional funeral. Two main documents are required to arrange a burial:
1. Medical certificate (note) of the cause of death (medicīniskā apliecība (izziņa) par nāves cēloni)
This document is issued by the deceased’s attending doctor or the on-duty doctor at a medical facility.
If the death occurs at home, an initial certificate confirming the death is issued by the emergency medical service doctor. Based on this certificate, the relatives must contact the attending doctor to obtain the medical certificate stating the cause of death.
2. Certificate of death (miršanas apliecība)
It is issued by the civil registry office (Dzimtsarakstu nodaļa) based on the medical certificate stating the cause of death and the deceased’s personal documents (passport or ID card).
The death certificate is the primary legal document required for arranging a cemetery plot, ordering funeral services, transporting the body, obtaining benefits and handling inheritance matters.
Both documents are required for preparing and conducting the funeral, coordinating the burial date, and entering into agreements with the cemetery and funeral service providers.
If you need to speed up the process or wish to minimize your personal involvement in handling paperwork, we, Funeral Home ANGEL, can take care of obtaining all necessary documents and fully organize the traditional funeral process. Contact us by phone — we are available 24/7: +(371) 200 800 06.
Preparing documents for a funeral with cremation
Cremation - one of the farewell options that many families choose for ethical, religious, financial, or practical reasons. The cremation procedure is strictly regulated by Latvian legislation and includes several mandatory steps.
To ensure the process goes smoothly without delays, it is important to prepare the required set of documents in advance. Proper documentation helps avoid bureaucratic complications and ensures the timely conduct of the ceremony.
In Latvia, the following documents are required for cremation:
1. Medical certificate stating the cause of death (medicīniskā apliecība (izziņa) par nāves cēloni)
The primary document, without which the procedure cannot be carried out. It is issued by the attending doctor or the hospital’s on-duty doctor. It confirms the fact of death and states its medical cause.
2. Death certificate(miršanas apliecība)
It is issued by the civil registry office (Dzimtsarakstu nodaļa) based on the medical certificate stating the cause of death and the deceased’s personal documents (passport or ID card).
This document is required for all subsequent procedures, including cremation, burial of the urn, or transportation of the ashes.
3. Application for cremation
To proceed with cremation, an official application must be submitted to a licensed crematorium. This application is completed by:
- the deceased’s spouse
- relatives
- a legal representative
- another person responsible for organizing the funeral
In cases where the deceased has no relatives (bezpiederīgs mirušais), the application is submitted by the local municipality.
Additional documents required for cremation if the death is being investigated by the state forensic medical examination center (morgue):
4. Prosecutor’s permission for cremation
Such permission is required if the circumstances of the death raise questions or a forensic examination is being conducted.
If you prefer to entrust the preparation of cremation documents to professionals, we are ready to handle the entire process for you — from obtaining all necessary certificates to organizing the procedure itself. Contact us 24/7:
Documentation for repatriation of the deceased to Latvia
Organizing the repatriation of a deceased person is a complex and multifaceted process that requires composure and prompt action. During a period of grief, it can be extremely difficult to navigate the regulations of another country, which directly affect the preparation of documents.
We, Funeral home ANGEL, have the necessary experience to handle this process on your behalf. You can contact us at any time, as we operate 24/7:
Standard list of documents for repatriation:
1. Medical certificate stating the cause of death
The certificate is issued by the hospital’s on-duty doctor or the attending physician. (If the death did not occur in a medical facility, an initial certificate confirming the death is issued by the emergency medical service doctor, and based on this certificate, the attending physician provides the medical certificate stating the cause of death.)
This document confirms the fact of death and specifies its medical cause.
2. Death certificate
Local law enforcement or medical institutions issue the official death certificate or medical certificate. This document forms the basis for all subsequent actions — obtaining permits, arranging transportation, and organizing the funeral in the destination country.
The death certificate must be translated into the official language of the country to which the repatriation is taking place, and it must also be notarized and apostilled.
Documents that may be needed for repatriation of the deceased:
3. Health Inspectorate permit for international transportation of the body
This is an official sanitary certificate confirming that the body has been prepared for transportation in accordance with international standards and regulations.
Obtaining this permit ensures that all hygiene requirements have been met.
4. The deceased’s birth certificate
It is required to identify the deceased and confirm their citizenship, which is a mandatory condition for consular and customs authorities when arranging border crossing.
5. Burial permit for the deceased
This document confirms that the burial site in the destination country has been allocated and prepared. It serves as a legal guarantee required for completing the final stage of transportation.
In addition to the basic package, additional documentation may be required depending on the regulations of the departure and destination countries. Since repatriation requirements vary in each country, the process is always handled individually. We assist in preparing the complete set of documents, including body transport, arranging a zinc coffin, and international transportation.
Documents for exhumation
Exhumation is carried out only for serious legal reasons. It is a complex technical and legal process governed by strict Latvian regulations.
The required documents depend on:
- Location of the grave;
- Reason for exhumation (reburial, investigative actions, medical reasons, etc.);
- New reburial site;
- Government and municipal requirements.
Since each case is individual, for information on the documents required for exhumation, please contact our funeral home at our 24/7 phone number: +(371) 200 800 06.
We will provide free guidance on exactly which documents you need. Get a free consultation.
Funeral home ANGEL assistance with funeral document preparation
Funeral organization includes many procedures, timelines, and regulations that can be challenging to navigate without expert help.
We handle:
- Preparation of all documents (Civil registry, health inspectorate, permits, translations, apostille)
- Communication with medical facilities and consular offices
- Preparation of documents for repatriation
- Organization of traditional funerals, cremation, and reburial
- 24-hour advisory services
24/7 Phone:
We provide peace of mind and assurance that all funeral documents will be prepared on time and in compliance with Latvian law.
