AIRPORT COLLECTION · ARRIVAL OF A REPATRIATION
Airport collection is the moment when our team meets the flight and collects the deceased from the cargo terminal, on arrival of an air repatriation. We handle the customs formalities, the accompanying documents, and the onward transport to wherever the family needs.
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Airport collection is the final stage of an aerial repatriation. When the deceased arrives in Romania by plane, the coffin comes through the cargo terminal, not with passengers.
Our team meets the flight, collects the coffin from cargo, completes the formalities, and transports the deceased to the home, church, or cemetery. The family does not have to go to the airport or deal with customs.
Collection follows a clear procedure, coordinated with the airline and the airport authorities:
On arrival, the coffin is accompanied by documents obtained in the country of departure. We check them and handle the next steps:
Most air repatriations arrive at Otopeni Airport in Bucharest (Henri Coandă International Airport), which has a dedicated cargo terminal for this type of transport. Arrivals also occur at Cluj, Timișoara, or Iași, depending on the routing.
Whatever the airport, we handle collection and onward transport. We coordinate timing with the flight and with the family.
After collection, the foreign death certificate must be transcribed at the Romanian Civil Registry (Starea Civilă) before the burial or cremation can be organised.
We handle this step too, alongside the mortuary passport and the remaining formalities. See also our repatriation guide.
Collection itself takes several hours, depending on the cargo schedule and the customs formalities. We coordinate the timing so the family does not have to wait at the airport.
After collection, the transport to the destination depends on the distance. We keep the family informed at each stage.
Airport collection is usually part of the repatriation service. It includes the formalities, collection from cargo, and onward transport to the destination.
For indicative costs by country, see our repatriation pricing page. We give a clear quote in advance.
Give us the flight details and we take care of the collection, formalities, and transport. You do not need to go to the airport or deal with customs.
We answer day and night. For a no-obligation conversation, call us or see the full repatriation service.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
It is the moment when our team collects the deceased from the airport cargo terminal, on arrival of an air repatriation, and transports them to the destination.
Because a deceased person is transported as special cargo, in the hold of the aircraft, with its own documentation. Collection is from the cargo terminal, not the passenger arrivals hall.
We confirm the flight, arrive at cargo before landing, collect the coffin after unloading, complete the customs and sanitary formalities, and transport the deceased to the destination.
The death certificate from the country of origin, the laissez-passer mortuaire (mortuary passport) permitting international transport, the Romanian consular permit, and the airline's cargo documents. We check them at collection.
Most arrive at Otopeni (Henri Coandă International), which has a cargo terminal. Arrivals also occur at Cluj, Timișoara, and Iași. We handle collection at any of them.
No. Our team handles the collection and all formalities. The family does not travel to the airport or deal with customs.
Collection itself takes several hours, depending on the cargo schedule and customs formalities. Onward transport then depends on the distance to the destination.
It must be transcribed at the Romanian Civil Registry (Starea Civilă) before the burial or cremation can be organised. We handle this step.
Yes, usually. It is the final stage of an air repatriation. We coordinate it alongside the documentation, transport, and the funeral arrangements.
It is usually included in the overall repatriation cost. For indicative pricing by country, see the repatriation pricing page. We give a clear quote in advance.
The airline, through the cargo agent. We confirm the flight and timing, then coordinate the collection to arrive at exactly the right moment.
We monitor the flight and adjust to the new arrival time. The team goes to cargo only when the coffin is ready for collection, so the family does not have to wait.
Yes. After collection, we transport the deceased to the chosen destination — home, church, or cemetery — anywhere in Romania, using an authorised hearse.
Access to the cargo zone is restricted. The family usually waits at the destination; we handle collection at the airport.
If they have been sent with the transport, we collect them alongside the coffin and hand them to the family after the customs formalities.
Yes. We coordinate collection at the flight's arrival time, whether day or night. We are available and attend round the clock.
Yes — a straightforward authorisation from the family allows us to collect the deceased and complete the formalities. It is signed at the first point of contact.
Call us with the flight details — flight number, airport, and arrival time. We coordinate the collection and transport without the family having to manage any logistics.
No. The coffin remains sealed, as prepared in the country of departure. It is only opened if the family wishes to view the deceased, after the sanitary formalities.
Most major airlines accept this type of transport as special cargo, in the hold of the aircraft. The funeral home in the country of departure selects the appropriate route and flight.
Yes. Collection is carried out using an authorised funeral vehicle, into which the coffin is transferred after being collected from cargo, for onward transport.
We take care of it. We contact the funeral home abroad or the airline, find the flight and arrival time, and coordinate the collection.
Yes. We handle collection at any airport in Romania where the flight arrives — Otopeni, Cluj, Timișoara, Iași — and provide onward transport from there.
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QUESTIONS?
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