Legal framework
Legal and jurisdictional context for repatriation from Greenland
When someone dies in Greenland, the death must be registered under Greenland's local law before any repatriation can begin. A death certificate issued in Greenland is a legal document under that country's jurisdiction. The country you are bringing them home to may need it translated by a qualified translator and, in some cases, authenticated; for the UK, an English translation is required.
Airline and IATA standards require the body to be embalmed to international standards and transported in a zinc-lined coffin. These requirements apply to all international air transport of human remains, whatever the destination.
The process
How repatriation from Greenland works in practice
The process follows a fixed sequence. Each step must be completed before the next can begin.
Documentation
Documentation requirements for repatriation from Greenland
The following documents must all be in place before the body can leave Greenland. Your repatriation coordinator will obtain these on your behalf, working with the local funeral director.
Timeline analysis
Realistic timelines for repatriation from Greenland
Edge cases
Complications and edge cases in repatriation from Greenland
Criminal investigation or suspicious death
Where the death is subject to a criminal investigation in Greenland, local authorities will retain the body until the investigation is concluded. Neither the Embassy nor a repatriation company can override this. The embassy or consulate of the person who died (for British nationals, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) can provide consular support but cannot intervene in another country's judicial process. The timeline in these cases is entirely dependent on the local investigation.