Report of Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad is a document that is necessary to settle legal and estate matters in the United States.  The American Citizen Services Section of the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw can issue up to 20 copies of the Report of Death of an American Citizen.  Please provide the American Citizen Services with the below information about the deceased. Please also send in the deceased’s death certificate, a copy of the death record (karta zgonu) or a statement from a doctor regarding the cause of death and the deceased’s U.S. passport.

1. Full name
2. Social Security Number
3. Date and place of birth
4. Date of death
5. Place of death and place of burial
6. Last U.S. address
7. Last Polish address
8. Closest relative’s full name, address, telephone number and relationship to the deceased
9. Full name and address of a person in whose possession the effects (the property) of the deceased are.

The following general information is provided to assist families in making initial decisions in case of death of their loved one.  Indicated costs are estimates, based on deaths with no unusual circumstances, and should be considered as guides only.  These estimates also relate only to costs incurred in Poland (inclusive of shipping).  U.S. funeral home costs would be handled separately.

Services available in Poland regarding preparation and shipment of remains

(1) Maximum Period Before Burial of Remains

The remains should not be buried or cremated until 24 hours after death. There is no time limit placed on the disposition of remains before burial when the remains are embalmed.

When remains are not embalmed and burial cannot be provided within 72 hours the body should be placed in the mortuary. Remains of people who died of  infectious diseases (listed in the schedule compiled by the Minister of Health) must be removed from a flat/house immediately after death is confirmed and buried in the nearest cemetery within 24 hours.

(2) Embalming

Embalming is not mandatory in Poland but it can be performed at the request of the deceased’s family after receiving a permit from the sanitary inspectorate.

There are 15 embalming specialists whose services are available at hospitals and funeral agencies all over Poland.

(3) Cremation

Polish Law permits cremation and there are 28 crematoriums: in Warsaw – 1 installation, Bydgoszcz – 1 installation, Poznan – 1 installation, Gdansk – 1 installation, Szczecin – 1 installation, Lodz – 2 installations, Wyszkow – 1 installation, Nowa Chelmza – 1 installation, Torun – 1 installation, Pruszkow – 1 installation, Ramlewo – 1 installation, Rzeszow (KRK district), Skarbimierz (KRK district), Skwierzyna, Slupsk, Stalowa Wola (KRK district), Strzelin (KRK district), Wroclaw (KRK district) – 1 installation, Glogow – 1 installation (KRK district), Ruda Slaska (KRK district) – 2 installation, Bytom (KRK district) –1 installation, Czestochowa (KRK district) – 1 installation, Krakow (KRK district) – 1 installation, Dabrowa Gornicza – 1 installation (KRK district), Zmigrod – 1 installation (KRK district), Legnica – 1 installation (KRK district).

Polish national law requires a written expression of a desire to be cremated or, if unavailable, a written statement from the immediate family member.

(4) Caskets and Containers

When remains are to be transported out of the country, the body is first embalmed or cremated for shipment. Then remains should be placed in a wooden coffin with the inside lined in sheet metal or with a metal insert, or a metal casket hermetically sealed. Caskets and urns are available locally.

(5) Exportation of Remains

To export human remains, Polish authorities require the following documents:
a) Death Certificate issued by the local authorities (Vital Statistics Office) where the death occurred
b) Death Card – a doctor’s certificate, which states the cause of death
c) Export permit issued by the Funeral Home on the basis of the local Sanitary Inspector permission
d) Affidavit signed by the funeral home’s employee stating that the container holds solely the properly prepared remains of the deceased.

For the shipment of ashes, the following documents are required:
a) Death Certificate
b) Death Card
c) Cremation Certificate
d) Export permit issued by the Funeral Home on the basis of the local Sanitary Inspector permission.

(6) Costs

All fees are approximate and listed in US dollars. Cost estimates listed below are based on the May 2014 exchange rate of 1$ = 3.1 PLN.

1. Local burial without embalming                               $    1500-2500

2. Embalming                                                               $    200-350

3. Cremation                                                                $    200

4. Cremation and shipment to the U.S.                        $    1100-1600

5. Shipment of ashes to the U.S.                                  $    250

6. Preparation of remains                                             $    50

7. Shipment of remains to the U.S.

Warsaw to New York                                                 $   3000-3500

Warsaw to Chicago                                                   $   3500

    Warsaw to Los Angeles                                             $   3500-4000

8.  Storage of Remains (per day)                                   $   15

(7) Exhumation and Shipment

Remains may be disinterred between October 16 and April 15 one year after burial provided that the required permit from the sanitary inspector is obtained or at other times if authorized by the sanitary inspector. The remains of a person who died as a result of an infectious disease (asincluded on the schedule issued by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare) may not be disinterred for two years after the time of death.

Costs:
1. Exhumation, excluding transportation    $500-700
2. Exhumation including Jewish ceremony $800-1100
3. Shipment    $1600-1900

(8) Autopsies

The Prosecutor’s office may order an autopsy if:
– death may have been or was a result of a crime
– death was caused by a infectious disease
– death occurred in a hospital but the cause of death cannot be determined unambiguously

An autopsy may also be conducted in certain other circumstances, e.g. when death occurred at home, but was not a result of a crime or an infectious disease.

(9)  Remarks

There will be additional costs if the remains need to be transported within country prior to their departure from the capital.

1. Local transportation for 1 kilometer   $  0.60

Local death certificates are issued by the local Vital Statistics Office in whose jurisdiction death occurred. The certificates are based on the death record (Death Card) issued by a doctor who confirmed death and on the deceased’s identity document.

Cause of death is determined and appropriately recorded by a physician, in case of autopsies by a forensic physician.

There is no special license required to open a funeral home, which must be registered as a business with the city/local authorities and entered into the business register. A new business must also be reported to the Main Statistics Office and the Tax Office.

(10) Local Customs Regarding Funerals, Disposition of Remains, Mourning, Memorial Services

Roman Catholic funeral services are most common in Poland. Funeral services of other denominations are also available.

In case the deceased’s identity cannot be confirmed, the deceased was destitute, or the family refuses to arrange for the funeral, the local interment is provided by Polish social services at the expense of the state.

DISCLAIMER:  The U.S. Embassy Warsaw, Poland assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following persons or firms.  Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance.  Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the funeral directors, morticians and other service providers.

WARSAW

BONGO Międzynarodowe Usługi Pogrzebowe
ul. Etiudy Rewolucyjnej 48,
Warszawa 02-643
phone:  22 831 0036, 22 635 2193
cell:  604 066 152
fax:  22 831 7996
biuro@bongo.com.pl
http://www.bongo.com.pl/

Note: Cold storage for remains- 90-110 spaces at Cmentarz Północny (North Cemetery) and up to 103 spaces at Cmentarz Południowy (South Cemetery); additional cold storage in local hospitals

SOS Funeral Home
ul. Ks. J. Popieluszki 6
01-501 Warszawa
phone:  22 839 9238
cell:  601 204 122
fax:  22 869 0029
Godlewski@sosagencjafuneralna.pl
http://www.sosagencjafuneralna.pl/

Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Usług Komunalnych Sp. z o.o.
ul. Redutowa 25
01-106 Warszawa
phone: 19588; 22 836 6916; 22 836 6731- all 24/7
cell: 608 054 093; 608 053 943- all 24/7
fax: 22 836 6916
http://www.mpuk.waw.pl/
sekretariat@mpuk.waw.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 20 spaces.
Cooperates with two large municipal cemeteries which have additional morgue capabilities:

1. Cmentarz Komunalny Północny (North Municipal Cemetery)
ul. Wóycickiego 14, 01-938 Warszawa
Manager: 22 834 5200; Secretariate (Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00) 22 834 4932; 22 835 1479; phone/fax: 22 834 4808
Cold storage for remains (phone: 22 834 5699)- 186 spaces, also cremation.

2. Cmentarz Komunalny Południowy (South Municipal Cemetery)
05-503 Antoninów (near Warsaw)
Manager: 22 756 1159; Secretariate (Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00) 22 756 1435; 22 756 1438; fax: 22 756 1159
Cold storage for remains 103 spaces.

Przedsiębiorstwo Pogrzebowe “AMBER” S.C. Teresa i Marek Stanisławscy
ul. Młynarska 52
01-171Warszawa
phone: 22 632 8336 24/7
cell: 501 796 471 24/7
fax:  22 632 8336; 22 629 4870
http://www.pogrzeby-amber.pl/

Note: Cold storage for remains- 22 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals

Firma Gójscy s.c. Zakład Pogrzebowy
ul. Grenadierów 34
04-073 Warszawa
phone:  22 870 6895
cell:  601 995 959 24/7
fax: 22 810 9480
International Service 24/7
http://www.gojscy.pl/
info@gojscy.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 16 spaces

Zakład Usług Pogrzebowych „KALLA”
ul. Domaniewska róg Puławskiej 141
02-715 Warszawa
phone: 22 632 2023; 22 843 9101; 22 843 9343- 24/7
cell: 660 783 707; 660 783 757- 24/7
fax: 22 847 0482
http://www.kalla.warszawa.pl/

Dom Pogrzebowy „STYKS”
ul. Św. Wincentego 79
03-530 Warszawa
phone: 22 678 9020; 22 679 4189
cell: 602 630 660- 24/7
http://www.styks.pl/
musial@styks.pl; pupstyks@gmail.com

Note: Cold storage for remains- 25 spaces

BIAŁA PODLASKA

Zakład Pogrzebowy „KOMUNALNIK”
ul. Jana Pawla II 33
21-500 Biała Podlaska
phone:  83 343 46 91- 24/7,  83 323 8321; 83 343 6222
cell: 601 277 212; 508 303 236- 24/7
fax:  83 343 4691
http://www.komunalnik.pl/
biuro@komunalnik.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 9 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospital

BIAŁYSTOK

Centrum Pogrzebowe Andrzej Szmurło
ul. Pogodna 63
15-365 Białystok
phone: 85 744 7493 – 24/7
http://www.centrum-pogrzebowe.pl/
biuro@centrum-pogrzebowe.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 6 spaces; additional cold storage in city morgue

BYDGOSZCZ

Przedsiębiorstwo “Zieleń Miejska” Sp. z o. o.
ul. Czartoryskiego 9
85-222 Bydgoszcz
phone:  52 324 9998;  52 324 9999
fax: 52 325 6010
http://www.zielenmiejska.pl/
info@zielenmiejska.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 12 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals

CHEŁM

Hades Usługi Pogrzebowe Waldemar Tymoszuk
ul. Poległych 1
22-100 Chełm
phone: 82 564 2289
cell: 510 279 726 24/7
http://www.hadeschelm.pl/
biuro@hadeschelm.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 5 spaces

CIECHANÓW

Zakład Pogrzebowy “HADES” Rafał Żurawski
ul. Gostkowska 39 B
06-400 Ciechanów
phone:  23 672 3118;  23 672 1488 – both 24/7
fax:23 672 1488
http://www.hadeszurawski.pl/

Note: Cold storage for remains- 8 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospital

ELBLĄG

Przedsiębiorstwo Usług Pogrzebowych „SYRIUSZ”. Małgorzata, Maciej, Marta Jabłoniec
ul. Marymoncka 2D
82-300 Elbląg
phone: 55 234 5599; 55 235 5454 – both 24/7
http://www.pup-syriusz.pl/
biurosyriusz@tlen.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 8 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals

GDAŃSK

Przedsiębiorstwo Produkcyjno-Usługowe “ZIELEŃ” Sp. z o. o.
ul. Partyzantów 76
80-254 Gdańsk
phone:  58 341 20 71/73;  58 341 73 35; 58 341 6016
cell:  601 846 616
fax: 58 345 4175
http://www.zielen.pl/
zielen@zielen.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 65 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals

Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Usług Cmentarno-Pogrzebowych “HADES”
ul. 3 Maja 21
80-802 Gdańsk
Phone:  58 302 3454 – 24/7
fax: 58 302 3454
http://www.hadesgdansk.com/
hadesgdansk@me.com

Note: Cold storage for remains-4 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals

GDYNIA

Zakład Pogrzebowy “ORSZAK”
ul. Witomińska 42
81-116 Gdynia
phone:  58 665 0867;  58 621 1424
cell: 602 107 816 – 24/7
fax: 58 660 4707
http://www.orszak.pl/
orszak@wp.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 4 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals

KOSZALIN

Przedsiębiorstwo Gospodarki Komunalnej Sp. z o. o.
Administracja Cmentarza i Komunalny Zakład Pogrzebowy
ul. Gnieźnieńska 44
75-736 Koszalin
phone:  94 342 2420 – 24/7; 94 346 2692
fax: 94 342 2420
www.kzp.koszalin.pl

kzp@pgkkoszalin.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 18 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals

ŁÓDŹ

Przedsiębiorstwo Usług Pogrzebowych “KLEPSYDRA” Tomasz Salski
ul. Solec 3/5
94-247  Łódź
phone:  42 633 6690; 42 633 7300- both 24/7, 801 337 300
fax: 42 633 6605
http://www.klepsydra.pl/
biuro@klepsydra.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 100 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals

LUBLIN

Przedsiębiorstwo Usług Komunalnych Sp. z o. o.
Droga Męczenników Majdanka 71
20-325 Lublin
phone:  81 744 5031; 800 336 812- 24/7
www.puk.lublin.pl
puk@puk.lublin.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 27 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals

Dom Pogrzebowy Eden
ul. Kościelna 58
21-580 Wisznice
phone: +48 503 101 421, +48 690 812 812
http://edenwisznice.pl/

MAKÓW MAZOWIECKI

Międzynarodowy Transport Zmarłych A. i J. Drejka
ul. Wrzosowa
06-200 Maków Maz.
phone: 604 559 569, 604 354 119 (service in English)
fax: 29 7171 829
www.drejka.ocom.pl

md39@wp.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains – 15 spaces

OLSZTYN

Zakład Usług Pogrzebowych “MARKET”
ul. Lengowskiego 18-20
10-051 Olsztyn
phone: 89 535 5300; 89 527 0909- both 24/7
cell: 602 327 277- 24/7
fax: 89 527 0909
http://www.zupmarket.pl
zupmarket@wp.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains in local hospitals only

OSTROŁĘKA

Dom Pogrzebowy. Sobociński Waldemar
ul. Kujawska 13
07-400 Ostrołęka
phone:  29 760 5333- 24/7

Note: Cold storage for remains- up to 9 spaces; additional cold storage- 10 spaces in local hospital

PIOTRKÓW TRYBUNALSKI

Przedsiębiorstwo Usługowo-Produkcyjno-Handlowe “GRAVE”
Pasaż Rudowskiego 3
97-300 Piotrków Trybunalski
phone: 44 647 3286; 44 649 7635; 44 649 6534; 44 649 7612 – all 24/7
cell: 502 550 088; 601 200 842
fax: 44 647 3286
http://www.grave.pl/
arek@grave.pl, mijasmagdalena@gmail.com

Note: Cold storage for remains- 9 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospital

PŁOCK

Przedsiębiorstwo Pogrzebowe. Stanisław Frydrysiak
ul. Ostatnia 7
09-400 Płock
phone:  24 262 9463 – 24/7
fax: 24 268 2646
frydrysiak@interia.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 40 spaces; additional cold storage- 8 spaces in local hospital

POZNAŃ

“UNIVERSUM” Spółdzielnia Pracy
Ośrodek Usług Pogrzebowych
ul. Woźna 15 A
61-777 Poznań
phone:  61 853 1943 – 24/7
fax: 61 852 9320
www.universum-poznan.com.pl/
info@universum-poznan.com.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 30 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals

RADOM

Usługi Pogrzebowe “BROST” s.c. Bronisław Stompor
ul. Wałowa 1B
26-600 Radom
phone: 48 363 1143; 48 363 0666- both 24/7
cell:  602 603 884
fax: 48 340 4240
http://www.brost.radom.pl/
brost_radom@wp.pl, brosto@neostrada.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 5 spaces; additional cold storage- 32 spaces in local hospital

SIEDLCE

Zakład Pogrzebowy “EXITUS”
ul. Poniatowskiego 3
08-110 Siedlce
phone:  25 632 8616; 801 011 025; 25 632 6011- 24/7
cell: 602 680 147
fax: 25 632 6011
http://www.exitus24.pl/
biuro@exitus24.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 30 spaces in local hospitals

SIERADZ

Zakład Usług Pogrzebowych – Artur Pietrzak
ul. Nenckiego 5
98-200 Sieradz
phone:  43 827 6626- 24/7
cell: 609 965 289- 24/7
j.a.pietrzak@wp.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 8 spaces; additional cold storage- 8 spaces in local hospital

SŁUPSK

Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Zieleni Sp. z o.o.
ul. Kaszubska 3a
76-200 Słupsk
phone:  59 848 3764; 59 841 1315; 59 842 4880
cell: 502 525 005- 24/7
http://www.zielen.slupsk.pl/
mpz@slupsk.home.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains – 16 spaces in local hospital

SUWAŁKI

Zakład Usług Pogrzebowych Hades
ul. Wyszyńskiego 3
16-400 Suwałki
phone:  87 567 4005
cell:  502 409 894
www.hades-suwalki.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains- 3 spaces in local hospital

SZCZECIN

“USKOM” Sp. z.o.o.
ul. Ku Słońcu 23/1
71-073 Szczecin
phone:  91 485 6207; 91 485 6891-24/7
cell: 607 310 090 – 24/7
fax: 91 483 5053
http://www.uskom.szczecin.pl/
uslugi@uskom.szczecin.pl; biuro@uskom.szczecin.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains at local cemetery (Cemetery Administration phone: 91 485 7170)- 62 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals

TORUŃ

Przesiębiorstwo Usług Komunalnych “USKOM” Sp. z o.o.
ul. Szosa Chełmińska 165/167
87-100 Toruń
phone:  56 652 9084-24/7
http://www.uskom.pl/
sekretariat@uskom.pl; dzial.pogrzebowy@uskom.pl

Note: Cold storage for remains (Urbitor Company phone: 56 664 4088)- 36 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals (Mortuary & Pre- Funeral Home phone: 56 623 1271; 502 708 094)

WYSZKÓW

International Funeral Services “Apokalipsa”
ul. Pułtuska 177
07-200 Wyszków
phone:  29 743 36 10; 29 742 9500- 24/7
cell: 601 55 77 44- 24/7
fax:  29 742 5790
http://www.apokalipsa.com.pl/
biuro@apokalipsa.com.pl

Cold storage for remains- 24 spaces; additional cold storage in local hospitals