Funeral repatriation guidance
Repatriation from Greece to the UK
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Repatriation from Greece to the UK: costs and timeline
Repatriation from mainland Greece takes 10 to 21 days in a straightforward case. Deaths on Greek islands add an internal transfer leg to Athens or Thessaloniki before the international process begins, which extends both the timeline and total cost.
- Island deaths, including Crete, Corfu, Rhodes, Mykonos, and Santorini, require transport to the mainland first. This adds cost and at least several days to the process.
- Documentation takes 8 to 10 days for local formalities, per gov.uk FCDO guidance. The British Embassy in Athens is the first point of contact after local authorities.
- Costs range from GBP 3,000 to GBP 8,000 for mainland cases, rising with distance and complexity of island transfers.
Summer peak season increases demand on Greek funeral services. Cases during July and August in tourist resort areas may take longer than the average case.
Step by step
The repatriation process from Greece
Here is what happens after a death in Greece, and what you or your appointed coordinator needs to do at each stage.
Immediate steps after death
Contact emergency services (112 or 166 for ambulance, 100 for police). A doctor certifies the death and issues a medical certificate. Contact the British Embassy in Athens or …
Death registration and certificate
Death registered at the local dimos (municipality). Must be registered within 30 days. Hospital or doctor provides the medical certificate of death. The certificate is issued in …
Embassy/Consulate notification
British Embassy in Athens should be notified. Greece has several consular offices and honorary consuls, particularly on the islands where most British tourist deaths occur.
Embalming and preparation
Embalming is required for international repatriation. Greek funeral directors handle this. Mediterranean climate means prompt embalming is important, particularly in summer months. …
Coffin requirements
Zinc-lined hermetically sealed coffin required for international air transport per IATA regulations. Available in Athens and major cities. May need to be sourced on the mainland …
Documentation for repatriation
Greek bureaucracy can be slow, particularly during tourist season and on islands. The lack of a multilingual death certificate means translation adds time and cost. Need prosecutor …
Air transport to UK
Body transported as human remains cargo on commercial flights. Athens is the main cargo hub. For island deaths, the body must first be transported to Athens (by ferry or domestic …
Reception in UK
UK funeral director receives body at the airport, completes customs clearance, and transports to the chosen funeral home.
What you will need
Documents required for repatriation from Greece
The following documents must be obtained before your loved one can be transported to the UK. Your local funeral director will help gather most of these.
- Greek death certificate (lixiarxiki praxi thanatou)
- Certified translation of death certificate
- Coroner/prosecutor permission to release body
- Embalming certificate
- Freedom from infection certificate
- Passport of deceased (or copy)
- Airline cargo documentation
Documentation typically takes 8-10 days for local formalities (per gov.uk FCDO guidance) to complete.
If a post-mortem is required
Post mortem ordered by the prosecutor if death is sudden, unexplained, or suspicious.. Can delay repatriation significantly. Prosecutor must give permission to release the body.
Important: cremation and inquests
Do NOT cremate abroad if a UK coroner may need to hold an inquest. Cremation destroys evidence.
We handle the paperwork
Our team coordinates with local funeral directors in Greece to ensure all documentation is obtained correctly and on time.
What to expect
How long does repatriation from Greece take?
Timelines vary depending on the circumstances of the death and the speed of local authorities. Here is a realistic guide.
Best case
8-12 days
Natural death, straightforward documentation, no post-mortem required.
Typical case
10-21 days
Most repatriations from Greece fall within this range.
Complex case
4-12 weeks
Post-mortem, inquest, criminal investigation, or remote location involved.
Factors that can extend the timeline
- Island location (adds internal transport to Athens)
- Post-mortem investigation (reports can take months or over a year)
- Tourist season backlogs (June-September)
- Small island bureaucracy with limited English
- Prosecutor permission required to release body after post-mortem
- Greek death certificate requires separate translation (no multilingual version)
- Easter and other Orthodox holiday closures
- Ferry schedule disruptions due to weather (meltemi wind in Aegean, summer)
Typical costs
How much does repatriation from Greece cost?
Cost breakdown
| Local funeral director fees | GBP 800-2,000 |
| Embalming | GBP 500-1,000 |
| Zinc-lined coffin | GBP 500-1,100 |
| UK reception & transfer | GBP 400-900 |
Greece is moderately priced for European repatriations. Island deaths are consistently more expensive than mainland deaths due to the required transfer to Athens. Crete and Rhodes have better infrastructure than smaller islands. Santorini, Mykonos, and very small islands are the most logistically challenging and expensive. Tourist season (peak summer) may see higher local costs.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance with repatriation cover typically covers the full cost. EHIC/GHIC provides limited emergency medical cover. Without insurance, family pays directly.
Structured reference
Cost and requirement tables for Greece
The tables below provide a clean reference format for quick comparison and extraction.
Repatriation cost and timeline summary
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Total typical cost | GBP 3,000-8,000 |
| Local funeral director fees | GBP 800-2,000 |
| Embalming | GBP 500-1,000 |
| Zinc-lined coffin | GBP 500-1,100 |
| UK reception and transfer | GBP 400-900 |
| Best case timeline | 8-12 days |
| Typical timeline | 10-21 days |
| Complex case timeline | 4-12 weeks |
Required documents summary
| Requirement | Type |
|---|---|
| Greek death certificate (lixiarxiki praxi thanatou) | Mandatory document |
| Certified translation of death certificate | Mandatory document |
| Coroner/prosecutor permission to release body | Mandatory document |
| Embalming certificate | Mandatory document |
| Freedom from infection certificate | Mandatory document |
| Passport of deceased (or copy) | Mandatory document |
| Airline cargo documentation | Mandatory document |
| Documentation processing time | 8-10 days for local formalities (per gov.uk FCDO guidance) |
| Death certificate (Greek, with certified translation) | Ashes transport document |
| Cremation certificate | Ashes transport document |
Official support
British Embassy and consulates in Greece
The British Embassy can provide assistance and information, but cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact them as early as possible.
Cultural context
Cultural considerations in Greece
The rapid funeral timing and exhumation tradition are the two aspects most likely to surprise British families. The recent legalisation of cremation means this is now an option, but facilities are very limited compared to other European countries.
Local customs to be aware of
- 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.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about repatriation from Greece
Repatriation from Greece typically takes 10-21 days in a straightforward case. The fastest we have seen is 8-12 days, while complex cases involving a post-mortem or investigation can take 4-12 weeks or longer.
The typical cost for repatriation from Greece is GBP 3,000-8,000. This covers local funeral director fees, embalming, a zinc-lined coffin, documentation, air freight, and UK reception. Costs vary based on location within Greece and the specific circumstances.
The key documents required are: local death certificate, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and airline cargo documentation. Your local funeral director will gather most of these on your behalf.
Yes, cremation in Greece is an option. Cremation facilities are available. Transporting ashes to the UK typically costs GBP 200-500 if carrying personally.. Do NOT cremate abroad if a UK coroner may need to hold an inquest. Cremation destroys evidence.
Please contact our team for specific guidance on this question. We are available 24 hours a day.
Please contact our team for specific guidance on this question. We are available 24 hours a day.
Please contact our team for specific guidance on this question. We are available 24 hours a day.
Please contact our team for specific guidance on this question. We are available 24 hours a day.
Just found out? Start here
If a death in Greece has just occurred and you are not sure what to do first, our step-by-step guide explains everything from the first call through to bringing your loved one home.
What to do if someone dies in GreeceCity guides
Repatriation from specific cities in Greece
For more specific guidance based on where the death occurred, see our city-level guides.
Alternative option
Cremation in Greece and ashes transport
Some families choose cremation in Greece and arrange for ashes to be returned to the UK. This is often simpler and less costly than full body repatriation.
Cremation facilities are available in Greece.
Documents required to transport ashes
- Death certificate (Greek, with certified translation)
- Cremation certificate
Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance.
Full cremation guide
Cremation in Greece: documentation, airline rules, costs
Already have ashes?
Bringing ashes from Greece to the UK: documents and airline rules
Typical costs
We are here to help, any time of day or night
If your loved one has passed away in Greece, please do not face this alone. Our team will guide you through every step.
Thank you. We have received your enquiry and will be in touch as soon as possible, usually within a few hours.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Updated April 2026.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Full guide: what to do if someone dies in Greece · Frequently asked questions