Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Greece to the United Kingdom
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Repatriation from Greece to the UK: what to expect
Greece is one of the most common repatriation corridors for British families. Most deaths occur on islands, which require an internal mainland transfer before international cargo can depart from Athens.
- Key documents: Greek death certificate (lixiarxiki praxi thanatou) and certified English translation
- Documentation takes 8-10 days per FCDO guidance. Island deaths add 1-4 extra days.
- British Embassy in Athens registers the death and advises. They cannot fund repatriation.
- Post-mortem ordered by the prosecutor for sudden, unexplained, or suspicious deaths.
The process
Key steps for Greece to UK repatriation
Contact emergency services (112 or 166 for ambulance, 100 for police). A doctor certifies the death. Contact the British Embassy in Athens. Death registered at the local dimos (municipality) within 30 days. The lixiarxiki praxi thanatou is issued in Greek only and requires certified English translation.
Step by step
Timeline: Greece to the United Kingdom
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. FCDO 24hr: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered at local dimos. Lixiarxiki praxi thanatou issued.
Must be registered within 30 days. Certificate in Greek only, translation required.
Local funeral director and dimos
British Embassy Athens notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Internal mainland transfer (if island death) and embalming
Island transfers add 1-4 days. Embalming facilities on smaller islands may be limited.
Licensed local funeral director
Prosecutor authorisation and all export documentation completed
Allow 8-10 days per FCDO guidance. Post-mortem cases take longer.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Athens (ATH) to UK airports
Once all documentation complete and prosecutor has authorised release.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
UK funeral director takes custody. Coroner notified.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Greece to the United Kingdom
In a straightforward mainland case, repatriation from Greece to the UK takes 8-12 days. Most cases take 10-21 days once translation and documentation time is factored in. Island deaths add at least 1-4 days. Complex cases involving a post-mortem or prosecutor investigation can take 4-12 weeks.
Deaths on any Greek island require an internal transfer to the mainland, usually Athens, before international repatriation can proceed. This adds approximately 1-4 days and extra cost.
The core documents are: Greek death certificate (lixiarxiki praxi thanatou), certified English translation, Prosecutor authorisation for release, Embalming certificate, Freedom from infection certificate.
The British Embassy in Athens can register the death with UK authorities, provide a list of local funeral directors, and advise on documentation. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.
The UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All Greek documentation must be in certified English translation. The coroner for the district is notified.
Yes. Cremation in Greece is available but note that Greek Orthodox tradition favours burial and crematoria are limited. Bringing ashes home to the UK is simpler and less costly than full body repatriation.
In United Kingdom
When the body arrives in the United Kingdom
The UK funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. All Greek documentation must be in certified English. The coroner for the district is notified. Straightforward cases proceed to funeral arrangements.
Consular support
FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000. The FCDO can provide information and a list of local funeral directors. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Greece, please do not face this alone. Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing them home to the United Kingdom.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: FCDO: When someone dies in Greece · Greece repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions