When someone close has passed. The first steps.

Name: Tartu Matusebüroo
Address: Riia tn 128, Tartu, 50114, EE
Telephone: +372 5375 7932
Price range: €€

A practical guide for a grieving family — what to do in the first hours and how a funeral arrangement begins.

Call us any time — nights, weekends and holidays included.

What to do first.

The list below is short. Your only job is to make the first call — we agree on the rest together.

01

Make sure the death has been confirmed

If your loved one was in a hospital or care home, the staff on site handle everything. If the death happened at home, call 112 or the deceased's family doctor — a medical professional will come and officially confirm the death.
02

Call us

The number +372 5375 7932 is answered around the clock. We come ourselves and arrange transport with dignity and without delay. You don't need to find other transport or make rushed decisions.
03

Death certificate

The death certificate is issued by the hospital, care home or family doctor. It is needed to organise the funeral and to apply for funeral benefits. We can help with the paperwork if you'd like — just ask.
04

We meet

The first consultation is free and with no obligation. We come to your home, or meet at our office at Riia tn 128, Tartu. We talk through your wishes and budget, choose a coffin or urn, flowers, date and form of ceremony. We take care of the rest.

+372 5375 7932

What to bring.

None of this has to be ready before we meet — we file most of the paperwork for you. These items just speed things up if they are on hand.

01
An ID document of the deceased — passport or ID card
02
The death certificate, if already issued
03
Clothes you would like the deceased to wear
04
A photo that could be used in the obituary or at the ceremony

Funeral benefit — make sure to ask.

Lower-income families are entitled to a state funeral benefit of up to €250. It is paid by the Estonian Social Insurance Board, and the application can be submitted within six months of the death. The City of Tartu also offers its own funeral benefit — amounts and conditions are on the municipality's website.

We help you with the application — we walk through it at the first consultation.

Answers to the questions families ask most.

01 How quickly does the funeral need to take place?

In Estonia the usual time before a funeral is 5–14 days. With cremation you have more time; with a coffin burial we agree on a date with the cemetery in the first days.

02 How much does a funeral cost?

The price depends on the choices — coffin or urn, ceremony form, flowers, transport, cemetery services. You'll receive a clear quote at the first meeting. You can also pay in instalments through Modena financing — we are the only funeral bureau in Estonia to offer this option.

03 Can the ceremony take place without a clergyman?

Yes. A ceremony can be led by a clergyman, a funeral celebrant or a family member. We help you find the right person and put the ceremony plan together.

04 What if our loved one died abroad?

We help coordinate the repatriation and the paperwork it requires. Call us and we'll walk through it step by step.

05 Can we order flowers and wreaths at the last minute?

Yes. Floral arrangements are usually prepared a day or two before the ceremony, but last-minute orders are often possible. Call and ask.

06 Do you offer grief support?

At the first meeting we also talk about coping with grief. If needed we recommend a psychologist or chaplain.

Grief doesn't follow a schedule.

The first days may bring shock and disbelief. Later sadness, anger or emptiness. Each person goes through it in their own way — family members may experience the same loss differently.

Support helps. Talk to those close to you and don't stay alone. If grief doesn't ease over several weeks, or disrupts eating, sleeping and daily work, see your family doctor, a psychologist or a chaplain.

Free emotional support helpline

116 123

Around the clock, all of Estonia