Practical guidance
What to do if someone dies in Greenland
This guide explains what happens after a death in Greenland, 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.
What to Do When Someone Dies in Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark in the Arctic. Danish law governs civil matters including death registration. All documentation is in Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) or Danish: certified English translation is required. The key logistical challenge is the very limited Air Greenland flight frequency and the vast distances between settlements.
Call the FCDO on 020 7008 5000 immediately. The British Embassy Copenhagen (+45 35 44 52 00) handles Greenland on a non-resident basis.
Step 1: Notify the FCDO and Local Authorities
The attending physician or hospital certifies the death. Deaths are registered through the Danish civil registration system as applied in Greenland. Non-natural deaths require notification to and clearance from the Police of Greenland (Politiet i Grønland) before funeral arrangements proceed.
Register the death with the British Embassy, Copenhagen.
Step 2: Remote Settlement Transfer
Deaths outside Nuuk (Godthåb) or Kangerlussuaq may require helicopter, charter aircraft, or ship transfer to a settlement with mortuary facilities before international repatriation can be arranged. This is the most variable part of the timeline, Arctic weather can add days. Contact a specialist firm immediately to begin logistics planning.
Step 3: Obtain the Death Certificate and Translation
The death certificate is issued in Danish or Greenlandic. A certified English translation is required for the UK Coroner.
Step 4: Prepare the Documentation
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Death certificate + certified English translation | UK Coroner and border requirements |
| Police of Greenland clearance | Required for non-natural deaths |
| Air Greenland or charter cargo documentation | Air transport |
| UK Coroner import notification | Required before the body enters the UK |
No cremation is available in Greenland. The body is repatriated for cremation in Denmark or the UK if required.
Step 5: Arrange the Flight
Air Greenland flights from Nuuk (GOH) or Kangerlussuaq (SFJ) to Copenhagen (CPH), then UK connections. Air Greenland operates limited weekly frequencies: schedule carefully and build in contingency for weather delays.
Step 6: Repatriation to the UK
On arrival in the UK, the body is received by a registered UK funeral director after UK Coroner confirmation.
For further guidance, read what happens when someone dies abroad or contact us directly.
Sources: Danish Civil Registration System; Police of Greenland; Air Greenland; FCDO Consular Services Overview; British Embassy Copenhagen.
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 Greenland 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 Greenland 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 Greenland 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 | Greenland 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 Greenland
Detailed information on the full repatriation process, embassy contacts, what affects the cost, cultural considerations, and more.
View full guideSend us the details
If you need someone to take over the arrangements, tell us what has happened. We arrange repatriation from Greenland 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 Greenland · Frequently asked questions