Question 1

How long does repatriation from Athens take?

Accepted Answer

Repatriation from Athens, Greece typically takes 10-21 days in a straightforward case. The process follows standard Greece procedure: local funeral director handles embalming and documentation, cargo departs from ATH airport. Complex cases involving post-mortem can take 4-12 weeks.

Question 2

Who do I contact first when someone dies in Athens?

Accepted Answer

When someone dies in Athens, contact a specialist repatriation company and the embassy or consulate of the person's own country as soon as possible. The specialist will coordinate with a licensed local funeral director in Athens and notify the relevant local authorities. Avoid instructing a local funeral director directly before engaging a specialist, as this can complicate documentation.

Question 3

Which airport does repatriation cargo fly from in Athens?

Accepted Answer

Repatriation cargo from Athens typically departs from Athens International (Eleftherios Venizelos) (ATH). Cargo is transported as human remains on full-service commercial airlines. Budget carriers such as Ryanair and easyJet do not carry human remains.

Question 4

What documents are needed for repatriation from Athens?

Accepted Answer

The required documents for repatriation from Athens include: local death certificate, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, passport of the deceased, and airline cargo documentation. The local funeral director in Athens will obtain most of these on the family's behalf. Documentation typically takes 8-10 days for local formalities (per gov.uk FCDO guidance).

Local funeral director	Set by the firm handling the case in Athens
Air freight from ATH	Turns on routing and how often flights go
Investigation	A post-mortem or inquest adds mortuary time
Reception at home	Depends on the receiving funeral home

Repatriation from Athens, Greece

Deaths in Athens: local context

Common circumstances

Airport cargo

Flights and routing

Local considerations in Athens

Hospitals and forensic services in Athens

Hospitals

Forensic mortuary

Repatriation from Athens: how it works

Embassy contact

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