Repatriation of human remains

The Consular Chancellery provides assistance and advice in the case of repatriation of bodies or ashes. To obtain authorization to return the body or ashes of a relative who has died within the consular jurisdiction of this Embassy to Italy, the U.S. funeral agency involved must submit the following documentation to the Consular Chancellery:

1. Two death certificates with apostille and translation;
2. a) For bodies: statement with apostille and translation of the city/county health department certifying that the deceased did not die from a contagious disease;
   b) For ashes: certificate of cremation with apostille and translation;
3. A notarized statement from the funeral agency, certified by a notary public, attesting to compliance with Italian Mortuary Police Regulations (use facsimile A for bodies and facsimile B for ashes. Both forms are at the bottom of this page);
4. Statement with the data related to the deceased (facsimile C at the bottom of the page), filled out on the letterhead of the funeral agency;
5. Italian passport (which will be canceled and returned at the end of the procedure), or a notarized photocopy of the foreign passport;
6. Prepaid envelope for the return of the documentation;

The total consular fees for the repatriation of bodies or ashes as of June 1, 2015, amount to 98.60 U.S. dollars. Please contact the Consular Chancellery – Citizenship and Civil Status Office to determine the exact fee, as the exchange rate is updated quarterly.

Upon receipt of the documentation, the Consular Chancellery will proceed to request the necessary authorization from the relevant Italian municipality for the entry of the body or ashes into Italy. Once the authorization is received, the Consular Chancellery will contact the funeral agency to establish when to seal the casket or urn and deliver all the necessary documentation.

Note: After arriving in Italy at the airport or port of first disembarkation, transportation to the final destination of human remains must be done by land. Air transport within Italian territory is not allowed.

FORMS:

• Facsimile A – Entry of Bodies into Italy Form
• Facsimile B – Entry of Ashes into Italy Form
• Facsimile C – Repatriation Information Form

Contacts at the Consular Chancellery of Washington: Citizenship and Civil Status Office