Question 1

How long does repatriation from Rhodes take?

Accepted Answer

Repatriation from Rhodes, 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 RHO airport. Complex cases involving post-mortem can take 4-12 weeks.

Question 2

Who do I contact first when someone dies in Rhodes?

Accepted Answer

When someone dies in Rhodes, 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 Rhodes 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 Rhodes?

Accepted Answer

Repatriation cargo from Rhodes typically departs from Rhodes Diagoras (RHO). 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 Rhodes?

Accepted Answer

The required documents for repatriation from Rhodes include: local death certificate, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, passport of the deceased, and airline cargo documentation. The local funeral director in Rhodes 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 Rhodes
Air freight from RHO	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 Rhodes, Greece

Deaths in Rhodes: local context

Common circumstances

Airport cargo

Flights and routing

Local considerations in Rhodes

Hospitals and forensic services in Rhodes

Hospitals

Forensic mortuary

Repatriation from Rhodes: how it works

Embassy contact

We are here to help, any time