Updated October 2026
Repatriation of remains to Israel means flying the deceased home for burial: a burial place in Israel is confirmed, the death is officially certified, the Israeli embassy approves the transfer, the body is prepared, and the coffin is shipped on a flight under a cargo bill to Ben-Gurion Airport, where it is received and taken to the funeral. In general the cost starts at $7,000 and can reach tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the distance, the destination, how urgent the flight is, the airline and the weight of the casket. Because Jewish law calls for burial without delay, the steps run in parallel with the Israeli embassy abroad, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health and the burial society. Menucha Laad coordinates these flights in both directions, from abroad to Israel and from Israel to any country.
Who handles each step when remains are repatriated to or from Israel
A repatriation of remains to or from Israel passes through several authorities, and each one owns a specific approval. Knowing who does what explains why the order of the steps matters:
- Hevra Kadisha or burial company: confirms the place of burial in Israel, which is the first document the transfer depends on.
- Ministry of the Interior: issues the official death certificate.
- Israeli embassy abroad: receives the burial confirmation and approves the transfer of the deceased to Israel; for flights out of Israel, the destination country's embassy seals the coffin and issues the consular mortuary certificate.
- Ministry of Health: approves the embalming and inspects the coffin before a flight out of Israel.
- Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem: signs the apostille on the official documents for flights abroad.
- Police, hospital or the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute: release the deceased for preparation when the death occurred in Israel.
- Israeli customs at Ben-Gurion Airport: handle the bill of lading and release the coffin for flight, customs and security.
Related guides: transfer of the deceased from abroad to Israel, transfer of the deceased from Israel to abroad and what to do when a person dies.
Steps to repatriate a deceased person from Israel to another country
Repatriating a deceased person from Israel to another country follows a fixed sequence of approvals, and Menucha Laad handles each of them for the family:
- Receiving the case from the family or its authorized representative, together with a power of attorney.
- Releasing the deceased from the hospital, the police or the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute for preparation.
- Washing and dressing the deceased, then embalming (injecting a preservative into the body) according to the law and with Ministry of Health approval.
- Issuing the official death certificate at the Ministry of the Interior, with the apostille signed by the Foreign Ministry and a notarized translation.
- Providing a coffin with an internal sheet metal casing and an external wooden casing, inspected by the Ministry of Health and checked by security.
- Receiving the consular mortuary certificate and transit or entry permit from the destination country's embassy, which also seals the coffin.
- Handling Israeli customs, ordering the bill of lading and releasing the coffin at Ben-Gurion Airport for flight.
- Arranging the release of the coffin at the foreign airport through a local company and its transfer to the place the family chose.
- Sending the personal belongings of the deceased abroad by mail or with the airline, and settling payments to the hospital and for the approvals.
- Helping family members who fly with the coffin with their tickets and travel arrangements.
Steps to repatriate a deceased person from abroad to Israel
Repatriating a deceased person from abroad to Israel starts with the burial place, because the Israeli embassy approves the transfer on the basis of that confirmation:
- Contacting a local representative of the company, who starts coordinating with the Israeli embassy abroad.
- Receiving confirmation of a burial place in Israel from the Hevra Kadisha or a burial company.
- Issuing the official death certificate, which is transferred to the Israeli embassy to approve the transfer.
- Giving the local representative a power of attorney to arrange the transfer, and obtaining the consular approval and flight tickets.
- Preparing the deceased (embalming, purification and dressing) according to the family's wishes.
- Arranging an ambulance approval and receiving the coffin at Ben-Gurion Airport, then taking it to the place of burial for the funeral.
For a reburial in Israel of someone already buried abroad, see transferring bones to Israel.
How much repatriation of remains to Israel costs
The cost of repatriating remains to Israel varies widely, and several factors set the final price:
- Distance: the farther the place of death is from the place of burial, the higher the price.
- Destination and flight: some countries cost more because of the available routes, airline policies and whether there is a direct flight.
- Casket weight: the weight of the casket affects the cost of the flight.
- Urgency: an urgent repatriation costs more than one planned in advance.
- Additional services: body preparation, special caskets, documents and approvals add to the total.
- Airline: prices differ between airlines.
- Local regulations: the requirements of the receiving country can change the overall cost.
In general, repatriation of a deceased person costs from $7,000 up to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on these factors. Ask for a quote that lists exactly what is included, from the documents to the release of the coffin at the destination. Burial itself in Israel is financed by National Insurance for every Israeli citizen with rights.
Why families use an experienced company to repatriate remains
Repatriating a deceased person involves legal, bureaucratic, religious and emotional considerations at the same time. Menucha Laad has handled the repatriation of the deceased for over 45 years, in line with the regulations and practices of different countries, and manages every step on behalf of the family so they can focus on their grief.
To start a repatriation or get a quote, call Menucha Laad at +972-505212464 or send a message on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions about repatriation of remains to Israel
How much does repatriation of remains to Israel cost?
Repatriation of remains to Israel generally starts at $7,000 and can reach tens of thousands of dollars. The final price depends on the distance, the destination, how urgent the flight is, the airline, the weight of the casket, extra services and the rules of the receiving country.
What documents are needed to repatriate a body to Israel?
Repatriating a body to Israel needs a confirmation of a burial place in Israel from the Hevra Kadisha or a burial company, an official death certificate, the Israeli embassy approval for the transfer and a power of attorney for the representative who arranges it.
Does National Insurance pay for burial in Israel when someone dies abroad?
National Insurance in Israel finances the full cost of burial for every Israeli citizen with rights. For those entitled, the burial place confirmation is free; those not entitled purchase a burial place.
Does the body have to be embalmed before the flight?
For a flight out of Israel, the deceased is embalmed according to the law and with Ministry of Health approval. For a flight to Israel, embalming, purification and dressing are part of preparing the deceased, according to the family's wishes and local rules.
What kind of coffin is required to fly a deceased person from Israel?
A coffin flown from Israel has an internal sheet metal casing and cover and an external wooden casing and cover. It is tested for compliance with Ministry of Health regulations and checked by security before the flight.
Can family members fly with the coffin?
Yes. Family members can fly with the coffin, and Menucha Laad helps them with airline tickets, hotel payments and transport to the airport.