Encoffining and transport within the Benelux

Cremated ashes can be transported internationally. Non-cremated remains require distinctions: within Benelux, to/from Strasbourg Agreement countries, or elsewhere. Benelux transport follows the 1967 Royal Decree, requiring impervious coffins, hearses, and hygiene standards. A burial or cremation permit acts as a transport 'laissez-passer' and must include key details.

Audience: Residents in Benelux countries
Duration: Not available
Documents: Burial or cremation permit in Dutch, French, or German stating name, date of death, and destination
Mode: Digital
Validity: Dutch, French, German

Cremated ashes may be freely transported internationally.

A distinction must be made between the following categories with regard to the encoffining and the transport of non-cremated human remains to another country:

Encoffining and transport within the Benelux;
Encoffining and transport from or to one of the countries bound by the Strasbourg Agreement;
Encoffining and transport to another country.

Encoffining and transport within the Benelux

This is governed by the Royal Decree of 8 March 1967 regulating the transport of corpses within the Benelux (Belgian Official Gazette of 23 June 1967).
In accordance with Article 3 of this Royal Decree, corpses must be transported in impervious coffins, with a hearse or other appropriate means of transport and under the required conditions of hygiene and propriety. Only wreaths and flowers are permitted to be transported together with the corpse.
The use of the necessary disinfectants is mandatory if death is attributable to a quarantinable disease.
Article 2 of the Royal Decree of 8 March 1967 provides that a permit for burial or cremation issued by the competent authority in any one of the three Benelux countries serves as a 'laissez-passer' for the transport of a corpse.
The burial or cremation permit issued in Dutch, French or German must state the name of the deceased, the date of death and the destination of the corpse.