The municipalities are responsible for issuing permits for the transport of deceased persons abroad

In particular, with regard to Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Romania, Czechia, Slovakia, Turkey, Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chile and Mexico, the relevant internal procedures must be followed. These require, in particular, that the ‘laisser-passer’ should be drawn up in accordance with the model approved by the relevant Convention.

For other countries, a permit must be requested for extradition (i.e. a mortuary ‘laissez-passer’ – passaporto mortuario) from the civil registration office in the municipality of death or of the municipality where the remains were found, or in which the human remains or aforementioned ashes were located, by submitting the relevant application, accompanied by the following documentation:

  •  Extract from the death certificate
  • Clearance for entry, issued by the consular authority in Italy of the foreign state to which the body, ashes or human remains are being transported, with legalisation, if required.
  • Local health authority certificate certifying that the provisions laid down in Article 30 and 32 of Presidential Decree 285/90 – Mortuary authority regulation – and, in the event of death due to infectious and contagious diseases, also the provisions of Articles 18 and 25 of the same Presidential Decree (provisions on transport and treatment), have been observed.
  • In the event of a violent death, the clearance of the judicial authority is required for burial and transportation abroad of the body.
  • Any documents prescribed by the Ministry of Health for particular situations.

The manager or head of the municipality service will issue the stamped authorisation and inform the prefect of the province containing the Italian border crossing point that will be passed on the journey abroad. The passaporto mortuario is drawn up in Italian, with the costs of legalisation and translation into the official language of the destination country to be borne by the persons concerned.

Detailed information

For detailed information, for example on the timing for issuance of the ‘laisser-passer’ and opening hours, please consult the institutional website of the municipality where the death occurred or where the body was found.

Various entities are involved: the municipality, the local health authority, the regions, the consulate and the prefecture

Relevant legislation

The main relevant regulatory references are as follows:

  • Royal Decree No 1265 of 27 July 1934: Consolidated Law on Health
  • Royal Decree No 1379 of 1 July 1937: Berlin Convention of 10 February 1937 (Austria, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Czechia, Slovakia, Turkey, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico and Switzerland)
  • Royal Decree No 1055 of 16 June 1938 Convention of 28 April 1938 with the Vatican City
  • Presidential Decree No 285 of 10 September 1990 – National mortuary authority regulation (Articles 30 and 32 of Presidential Decree 285/90 and, in the event of death due to infectious and contagious diseases, also Articles 18 and 25 of the same Presidential Decree)
  • Legislative Decree No 267 of 18 August 2000 on the organisation of local authorities
  • Presidential Decree No 396 of 3 November 2000 – new Regulation for the review and streamlining of civil status rules (Article 73 et seq.)
  • Regional laws and regulations
  • Municipal mortuary authority regulations
  • Mayoral orders adopted under Articles 22 and 82(4) of Presidential Decree No 285/1990
  • Exceptional and urgent mayoral orders under Article 54 of Legislative Decree No 267/2000

 

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