Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Greece and bringing ashes home

Cremation was only recently legalised in Greece. Athens has a crematorium. Availability on islands is extremely limited or non-existent. The body may need to be transported to Athens for cremation. This page sets out what Greece requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Greece

Cremation available

Yes, legally available

Important: read this before making any decisions

If home is the UK, do not cremate abroad if a UK coroner may need to hold an inquest. Cremation destroys evidence.

If there is any possibility a UK coroner may be involved, speak to us first. Do not instruct a funeral director to proceed with cremation until you have confirmed the position with the coroner's office.

Cremation in Greece

Can you cremate someone in Greece?

Traditionally burial was near-universal due to Orthodox Church teaching. Cremation has only recently been legalised and facilities are very limited (Athens has a crematorium). The vast majority of Greeks still choose burial.

Cremation was only recently legalised in Greece. Athens has a crematorium. Availability on islands is extremely limited or non-existent. The body may need to be transported to Athens for cremation.

Religious context: Greek Orthodox Christianity (~90% of population)

Local funeral timing: Funerals typically within 24-48 hours of death (similar to Spain). This rapid timing reflects Orthodox tradition and the warm climate.

How the body is handled locally: Professional handling in Athens and major cities. Island funeral services may be more basic. Embalming is not traditional in Greek culture (not required for quick local burial) but is arranged for repatriation.

Greek Orthodox funeral rites involve an open casket and final kiss tradition; Funerals happen quickly, within 24-48 hours in Greek tradition; Black clothing is worn for mourning. Women may wear black for an extended period (months or years in traditional communities); Memorial services (mnimosino) held at 40 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after death; Koliva (boiled wheat dish) is prepared for memorial services; Grave exhumation after approximately 3 years is standard practice in many Greek cemeteries. Remains are moved to an ossuary.

Weighing cremation abroad against bringing your loved one home intact? How families decide between the two.

Who must release the body

Court-appointed doctors or forensic pathologists

A post-mortem is carried out at the request of the Greek police, or requested by a state hospital doctor, when the cause of death needs establishing. Samples may be taken without the family's consent.

Documentation language

Greek

Documents you will need

What documents do you need to bring ashes from Greece to the UK?

You will need these documents in order when carrying ashes through airport security and UK customs.

Death certificate (Greek, with certified translation)

Cremation certificate

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance.

Most airlines allow ashes in carry-on with documentation. Check specific airline policy. Limited budget airline policies may vary.

What Greece requires: Death certificate (Greek, with certified translation); Cremation certificate

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Greece

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case. For Greece the things that move it are:

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium. Cremation was only recently legalised in Greece. Athens has a crematorium. Availability on islands is extremely limited or non-existent. The body may need to be transported to Athens for cremation.
Whether Court-appointed doctors or forensic pathologists has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in Greek
Whether you carry the ashes yourself or need them shipped

Contact us with the details and we will give you a figure for your case. Source: gov.uk FCDO guidance on death in Greece. Cremation availability in Greece is evolving and should be verified.

Considering full repatriation instead?

Some families decide they want their loved one brought home intact. The full Greece guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Greece

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Greece

Local emergency number 112. The step-by-step first response guide covers the first 24 hours in Greece.

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Greece

Talk to us about cremation in Greece

We deal with Court-appointed doctors or forensic pathologists and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.