What documents are needed for cremation
Cremation requires a few specific documents beyond those needed for any death. Unlike burial, cremation requires a written consent.
The core list is: the death certificate, the written consent for cremation, the adeverința de incinerare (cremation permit), and — in certain cases — the forensic institute's clearance.
The death certificate
The first document is the certificatul medical constatator (medical death certificate), issued by the doctor, followed by the certificatul de deces (civil death certificate), issued by the civil registry. The civil death certificate underpins all formalities, including cremation.
Without the civil death certificate the crematorium cannot accept the deceased. See also our guide on obtaining the civil death certificate.
Written consent for cremation
Cremation requires a written consent. If the deceased expressed — in writing, during their lifetime — the wish to be cremated, that document is sufficient.
If no such written wish exists, consent is given by first-degree relatives — the spouse, children, or parents — by means of a declaration on their own responsibility, either before a notary or at the crematorium, following its procedure.
Death registration — official MAI service (hub.mai.gov.ro)The adeverința de incinerare (cremation permit)
The adeverința de înhumare sau incinerare (burial/cremation permit) is issued by the civil registrar after the death record has been drawn up, at the declarant's request. It authorises the cremation.
The permit is retained by the crematorium administration and is valid for a single cremation only. See also our guide on the adeverința de înhumare.
The forensic institute's clearance
If the death occurred in unclear or violent circumstances, an autopsy is mandatory, and the clearance of the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IML) is required for cremation.
This clearance confirms that there are no legal obstacles to cremation. For cremation — unlike burial — this check is particularly important because the process is irreversible.
Proof of kinship
For the relatives' consent and for administrative purposes, documents proving kinship with the deceased are required:
- Marriage certificate, for the spouse
- Birth certificates, for children
- Other civil-status documents, as applicable
- Identity documents of those giving consent
Where the documents are submitted
All documents must be presented in original at the crematorium. The crematorium checks the file and schedules the cremation once everything is complete.
The funeral home gathers and prepares the documents and submits them to the crematorium on the family's behalf, under a power of attorney.
Cremation of a deceased brought from abroad
For a deceased brought from abroad, the foreign death certificate must first be transcribed into the Romanian registers, and the repatriation documents must be in order. After transcription, cremation follows the standard procedure.
We coordinate these situations too, from repatriation through to cremation, so the family has a single point of contact.
Common mistakes that delay cremation
A few avoidable mistakes cause delays. It is worth knowing them in advance:
- Missing written consent, when the deceased left no written wish
- Submitting copies instead of original documents
- Forgetting the forensic institute's clearance when the death was in unclear circumstances
- Incomplete kinship documents for those giving consent
- Leaving document collection too late, which delays scheduling
How we can help
We gather and prepare the documents, guide you on the cremation consent, and coordinate with the crematorium, so the family does not have to chase paperwork.
We are available day and night. For a no-obligation conversation, call us or see our cremation service.