Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Akrotiri and Dhekelia
This guide explains what happens after a death in Akrotiri and Dhekelia, who to contact, and how to arrange for your loved one to be brought home, to the UK, Ireland or any other country. Facts for British nationals come from FCDO and government sources. Every situation is different, and if you would like us to take over the arrangements, send us the details.
Akrotiri and Dhekelia are British Sovereign Base Areas in Cyprus, UK sovereign territory retained when Cyprus became independent in 1960. They are neither part of the UK nor part of the Republic of Cyprus. The Sovereign Base Area Administration (SBAA) governs both areas from Episkopi Cantonment.
The first steps depend on whether the deceased was a military person or a civilian.
Military Families: First Steps
Do not call the FCDO general emergency line. Military personnel deaths are handled through the Ministry of Defence casualty notification chain. Contact your unit welfare officer or the MOD if you are the next of kin. The MOD has dedicated repatriation procedures for service personnel and their dependants, and military repatriation may be handled via RAF Akrotiri directly to UK military establishments.
Civilian Families: First Steps
- Contact the SBAA Administration: The SBAA at Episkopi Cantonment is the chief authority. They will initiate death registration and coordinate with SBA Police for non-natural deaths.
- Contact the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 (available 24 hours): The FCDO can provide orientation for civilian deaths in the SBAs. This is not standard consular territory, but the FCDO duty officer can advise on the SBAA contact chain.
- Contact a specialist repatriation firm: The SBAA’s hybrid legal framework (neither purely English nor Cyprus Republic law) makes professional coordination advisable.
Death Registration and Coroner
Civilian deaths in the SBAs are registered with the SBAA Administration. HM Coroner for the Sovereign Base Areas has jurisdiction over non-natural deaths: accidents, unexplained deaths, and deaths in suspicious circumstances. The SBA Coroner must issue an order before the body can be released for repatriation.
Deaths occurring outside the SBA boundaries but nearby may fall under Republic of Cyprus jurisdiction. The SBAA Administration can clarify jurisdiction at the outset.
The Repatriation Route
Civilian route: Larnaca International Airport (LCA), approximately 45 minutes from Akrotiri, approximately 30 minutes from Dhekelia. Direct scheduled services to London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester and other UK airports. Flight time approximately 4.5 hours.
Military route: RAF Akrotiri (AKT) military airfield, with direct links to RAF Brize Norton and other UK military bases.
Documents You Will Need
| Document | Issuing Authority |
|---|---|
| SBAA death certificate | SBAA Administration, Episkopi |
| SBA Coroner’s order | HM Coroner for the Sovereign Base Areas (non-natural deaths) |
| Embalming certificate | Licensed embalmer |
| Export permit | SBAA Administration |
| Airworthiness documentation | Airline/cargo operator |
| UK receiving funeral director confirmation | UK funeral director |
Cremation
There is no cremation facility in the SBAs. The nearest crematorium is in the Republic of Cyprus. Families wanting cremation must arrange transfer to Cyprus or full repatriation to the UK.
Useful Contacts and Sources
- FCDO Consular Assistance: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours), orientation only for SBA cases
- MOD Casualty Notification: via unit welfare officer (military families)
- Sovereign Base Area Administration: Episkopi Cantonment, BFPO 53
- FCDO Travel Advice (Cyprus): gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cyprus
For further guidance on international repatriation, see our guide to what happens when someone dies abroad, or contact our team.
First things first
What to do in the first 24 hours
The immediate period after a death abroad is disorienting. Here are the steps in the order they normally need to happen.
Contact local emergency services
Contact the embassy or consulate
Tell the embassy or consulate of your loved one's own country as soon as possible. It can register the death, give you a list of local funeral directors and explain what the local authorities will need.
British nationals, FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Appoint a local funeral director
A local funeral director in Akrotiri and Dhekelia will take care of the body, arrange embalming, obtain the necessary documents, and coordinate with airlines. The embassy can recommend accredited directors. You can also contact a specialist UK repatriation company, who will coordinate with a local partner on your behalf.
Contact your travel insurer
If your loved one had travel insurance with repatriation cover, contact the insurer immediately. They will often have an emergency assistance line and may appoint their own funeral director. Many policies cover the full cost of repatriation, subject to the limit set out in the policy schedule.
Gather the required documents
Repatriation from Akrotiri and Dhekelia requires specific paperwork before a body can be transported. Your local funeral director will handle most of this.
What to expect
How long does it take?
Cost guide
What affects the cost?
Nobody publishes a reliable figure for Akrotiri and Dhekelia alone. Our cost page sets out the ranges repatriation firms publish, each named and dated. What you pay turns on the specifics of the case.
| Where the death happened | Distance to the departure airport, and any island or overland transfer, changes the freight arrangement |
| Whether a post-mortem is ordered | An investigation holds the release and adds mortuary time |
| Documentation required | Akrotiri and Dhekelia paperwork, translation, and any legalisation step |
| Coffin and preparation | Airline and destination rules dictate what is needed |
| Flight availability | Direct services cost less to arrange than multi-leg cargo routing |
| Insurance | Whether a policy covers repatriation, and up to what limit |
Send us the details and we will give you a figure for your case, with no obligation.
Full repatriation guide for Akrotiri and Dhekelia
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
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If you need someone to take over the arrangements, tell us what has happened. We arrange repatriation from Akrotiri and Dhekelia to the UK, Ireland or any other country.
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Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Repatriation from Akrotiri and Dhekelia · Frequently asked questions