Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Georgia to Greece
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Repatriation from Georgia to Greece: what to expect
Georgian nationals form a growing community in Greece, working in construction, agriculture, and trade in Athens and Thessaloniki. Georgia and Greece have bilateral diplomatic relations, and Georgian labour migration to Southern Europe has grown consistently in recent years. Georgian documentation in the Georgian script requires certified Greek translation for Greek Lixiarcheio (civil registry) purposes. The Greek Embassy in Tbilisi handles consular matters. (Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
- Key document: Death certificate from Civil Registry Agency (requires certified English translation)
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- British Embassy in Tbilisi registers the death and advises. They cannot fund repatriation.
- Death must be registered with the Civil Registry Agency promptly.
- All Georgian-language documentation requires a certified English translation for Greece acceptance.
In Greece
When the body arrives in Greece
The Greek funeral director (grafeiou teletou) takes custody at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) or Thessaloniki Macedonia (SKG) cargo terminal. A local health authority clearance is required before burial or cremation. The Lixiarcheio (civil registry) registers the death. Greece is an EU and Hague Apostille Convention member. All foreign documents not in Greek require certified Greek translation. (Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
Consular support
Greek Embassy in Tbilisi can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to Greece. Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs emergency line: +30 210 3681 000 (24 hours). The Greek Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in Georgia
Contact emergency services (112). Death must be registered with the Civil Registry Agency. The Prosecutor's Office takes jurisdiction when the death is: violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths.
Step by step
Timeline: Georgia to Greece
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call +44 (0)20 7008 5000 (FCDO) or +30 210 3681 000.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Death certificate from Civil Registry Agency (requires certified English translation) obtained.
Death must be registered with the Civil Registry Agency. Prosecutor's Office may be involved.
Local funeral director and registry
Greece Embassy in Tbilisi notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation and permits obtained.
Allow 5-10 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to Greece
Once all documentation complete. Greece cargo terminal
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Greece funeral director takes custody. receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Georgia to Greece
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Georgia to Greece takes 1-2 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 7-10 days. Complex cases can take 3-6 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with the Civil Registry Agency promptly.
The core documents are: Death certificate from Civil Registry Agency (certified English translation required), Prosecutor's clearance (for unnatural deaths), Embalming certificate, Export permit, Freedom from infection certificate. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The Greece Embassy in Tbilisi can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Greece Embassy in Tbilisi as soon as possible after the death.
Violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths A post-mortem adds time. The body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Greek funeral director takes custody at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) or Thessaloniki (SKG) cargo terminal. Local health authority clearance is required before burial or cremation. The Lixiarcheio registers the death. All foreign documents require certified Greek translation. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Cremation in Georgia is available. Bringing ashes home to the UK is an option alongside full body repatriation.
We are here to help, any time of day or night
If your loved one has passed away in Georgia, please do not face this alone. Our team will guide you through every step of bringing them home.
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 June 2026.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Georgia repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions