Operating a funeral service

Operating a funeral service is a licensed (concession) trade (field no. 19) covering the arrangement and provision of funerals, the transport and storage of human remains, and the organisation of funeral ceremonies. The authorisation arises only upon the granting of the concession (on the day the decision becomes final), which is subject to an opinion from the regional public health authority.

Conditions for operating

General conditions under Section 6 of the Trade Licensing Act: full legal capacity and a clean criminal record.

Professional qualification under Annex No. 3 (Sections 6 to 8 and Section 27) – it is sufficient to meet one of the following options:
Option 1: complete secondary, complete secondary vocational, higher vocational or university education + 3 years of experience in the field.
Option 2: basic education + 10 years of experience in the field.

Affirmative opinion of the relevant state administration body (the regional public health authority); without a favourable opinion the Trade Licensing Office will not grant the concession (Section 53(4)).

Clean criminal record: yes. Medical fitness: no. Liability insurance: no.

The professional qualification may also be demonstrated through a responsible representative under Section 11.

Examples of activities

arranging and organising funerals
transporting human remains and ashes
arranging placement in a coffin and in a grave or tomb
conducting a funeral ceremony
arranging cremation with a crematorium operator
preparing human remains for a funeral (excluding embalming and preservation)
placing remains in cooling equipment
handling death certificates and documents on behalf of the bereaved

What this trade is and what it is for

Operating a funeral service is a licensed (concession) trade classified under field no. 19 of Annex No. 3 to the Trade Licensing Act (Act No. 455/1991 Coll.). It is a business whose purpose is to ensure a dignified farewell to the deceased for the bereaved and the professional, hygienically safe handling of human remains and ashes. A funeral service arranges the funeral, takes over the body of the deceased, arranges its transport, storage, the conduct of the ceremony and the handover for cremation or burial in a grave.

Because the activity concerns public health and a sensitive area, it is among the most strictly regulated trades. A notification is not sufficient to operate it – a concession (an official permit) and an affirmative opinion from the regional public health authority are required.

What falls under this trade (and what does not)

The trade covers in particular:

arranging funerals and communicating with the bereaved,
transporting and conveying human remains and ashes,
placing remains in cooling or freezing equipment,
placement in a coffin and conducting a funeral ceremony,
arranging cremation and handling the related documents.

This trade does not include certain neighbouring concession fields that are carried out separately: performing embalming and preservation (field no. 20) and operating a crematorium (field no. 21). The operation of a public burial ground and the administration of a cemetery are likewise not part of this trade. In addition to the Trade Licensing Act, the activity is also governed by the Funeral Services Act, which lays down detailed operational and hygiene obligations.

Legal conditions for obtaining it

General conditions (Section 6). You must have full legal capacity and a clean criminal record. A clean criminal record is demonstrated by an extract from the Criminal Records Register, which the office obtains itself.

Professional qualification (Annex No. 3, Section 27). The governing provision is Sections 6 to 8 and Section 27 of Act No. 455/1991 Coll. It is sufficient to meet one of the following options:

complete secondary, complete secondary vocational, higher vocational or university education and 3 years of experience in the field, or
basic education and 10 years of experience in the field.

Neither medical fitness nor liability insurance is required for the purposes of the concession. The regional public health authority comments on the application as the relevant state administration body; if it does not agree to the granting of the concession, the Trade Licensing Office will not grant it under Section 53(4).

Responsible representative (Section 11). If you do not meet the professional qualification yourself (typically in the case of a legal entity), you appoint a responsible representative who demonstrates it on your behalf. One person may act as a responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.

How to notify or obtain the trade step by step

For a licensed (concession) trade you do not submit a notification but an application for a concession. Proceed as follows:

Complete the Unified Registration Form (JRF) – an application for a concession.
Submit it to any municipal Trade Licensing Office, electronically via the rzp.gov.cz portal, or at a Czech POINT contact point.
Provide documents proving your professional qualification (education and experience), where applicable documents on the appointment of a responsible representative, and the supporting materials needed for the opinion of the regional public health authority.
Pay the administrative fee of CZK 1,000 (first entry into business), or CZK 500 for a further concession.
The office requests the opinion of the public health authority and decides usually within 30 days.

The authorisation arises only on the day the decision granting the concession becomes final, not upon submission of the application. Once the decision is final, the office makes the entry and issues an extract within 5 working days. The general procedure is described in the guide how to start a trade.

Documents and fees

The Unified Registration Form (application for a concession).
An identity document; for foreigners a residence permit document (if required).
Documents proving education and experience under Annex No. 3 (option 1 or 2).
Documents relating to any responsible representative and their consent to the appointment.
Supporting materials for the opinion of the regional public health authority.
Administrative fee: CZK 1,000 for the first concession, CZK 500 for a further concession.

Frequently asked questions

Is submitting the application enough to start?

No. Unlike notifiable trades, you may carry out business only from the day the decision granting the concession becomes final (Section 10(1)(b)).

Who comments on the application?

The regional public health authority as the relevant state administration body. Without its favourable opinion, the Trade Licensing Office will not grant the concession under Section 53(4).

What education do I need?

Either secondary education (with a school-leaving examination), higher vocational or university education with 3 years of experience, or basic education with 10 years of experience in the field.

Can I have a responsible representative?

Yes. Under Section 11 the professional qualification can be demonstrated through one, where the entrepreneur does not meet it themselves. One person may be a responsible representative for no more than four entrepreneurs.

How long do the proceedings take?

Usually 30 days; the time limit may be extended by the time needed for the public health authority's opinion.