In Poland a funeral usually takes place within a few days - most often 3–7 days after the death. The date depends on completing the documents (the medical certificate of death and the death certificate), the availability of a plot and of a slot at the parish or with the celebrant, and on whether an autopsy has been ordered an autopsy. An autopsy usually extends the wait by a few days. The law sets no fixed deadline - we help arrange the most convenient one. Tel. 660 950 600.
“When will it be possible to bury my loved one?” - this is one of the most common questions. The answer depends on several factors, which we explain here so that you know what to expect and what speeds things up or slows them down the date.
Typical timeframe: a few days
In practice a funeral is most often arranged within 3–7 days from the death. Polish law does not set a rigid deadline „by when” the deceased must be buried - what matters is gathering the documents and agreeing the date of the ceremony. Until the funeral the body is kept in cold storage, in dignified conditions.
What affects the date?
- Documents - the medical certificate of death and the death certificate must be ready.
- Venue and parish - availability of a date at the cemetery and of the mass or ceremony.
- Form of burial - cremation means an additional stage (a slot at the crematorium).
- Autopsy - if it is ordered, it extends the waiting time.
- Repatriation from abroad - repatriation extends the process by days–weeks.
How long from the autopsy to the funeral?
An autopsy is sometimes ordered by the prosecutor's office (in sudden or unclear circumstances) or recommended medically. Once it has been carried out and the body and documents released, the funeral can usually be arranged within a few days. The total time from the death then usually extends to about a week or a little longer, depending on the date of the autopsy and the release of the body.
Can it be done faster?
Yes - most depends on gathering the documents efficiently and quickly agreeing a date. That is exactly what we take on: in parallel we obtain the death certificate, reserve the plot and settle the ceremony, so that no days are lost queuing for yet another document.
And what if the family needs more time?
Sometimes relatives live far away, or we are waiting for someone to return from abroad. This is also possible - the body is kept safely and we set the date in advance. We adapt to the family's needs, not the other way round.