The paper analyses the legal issues connected with human remains in museum collections. In the case of these particular exhibits, it is necessary to reconcile the interests of the communities to which the deceased whose remains are displayed belonged with the need to protect cultural heritage, and with the freedom of scientific research. The text examines methods of repatriating remains from museums to their countries of origin, identifies issues arising from the potential repatriation of remains from Polish museums, and proposes courses of action towards establishing repatriation rules for remains that may be located within the territory of Poland.