Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Philippines to Greece
For British families. 24/7 support, every step handled.
Quick answer
Repatriation from Philippines to Greece: what to expect
Filipino nationals form a community in Greece, working in domestic service, healthcare, and hospitality sectors in Athens. Greece has recruited Filipino workers through bilateral labour agreements in recent years. Filipino documentation, primarily in English and Filipino, requires certified Greek translation for Greek Lixiarcheio purposes. The Greek Embassy in Manila handles consular matters.
- Key documents: Philippine death certificate (PSA-authenticated) and DFA authentication
- Documentation takes 3-6 weeks. PSA and DFA authentication are the main bottlenecks.
- British Embassy in Manila registers the death and advises. They cannot fund repatriation.
- Greece Embassy in Manila can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
Step by step
Timeline: Philippines 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 certificate filed with Local Civil Registrar. PSA authentication requested.
Physician issues certificate. PSA authentication adds significant processing time.
Local funeral director and civil registrar
Greece Embassy in Manila notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming
Embalming is standard practice in the Philippines.
Licensed local funeral director
DFA authentication, Bureau of Quarantine clearance, and all export permits obtained
Allow 3-6 weeks. PSA and DFA are the main delays.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo from Manila (MNL) or Cebu (CEB)
Once all documentation complete.
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
The process
Key steps for Philippines to UK repatriation
Contact local emergency services (911 in Metro Manila). If death is unexpected, police must be notified. The certificate of death is issued by the attending physician and filed with the Local Civil Registrar. PSA authentication and DFA countersignature are then required.
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Philippines to Greece
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the Philippines to the UK takes 3-6 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 3 weeks. Complex cases can take 8-16 weeks.
The main bottleneck is mandatory authentication by the PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority) and countersignature by the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs). These cannot be bypassed.
The core documents are: Philippine death certificate (PSA-authenticated), DFA authentication, Embalming certificate, Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) clearance, and Passport of the deceased.
The British Embassy in Manila 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. Greek Embassy in Manila can advise on documentation requirements for repatriatio.
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.
Yes. Cremation in the Philippines and bringing ashes home to the UK is an option. You will need the PSA-authenticated death certificate, DFA authentication, and BOQ clearance.
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 Manila 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.
We are here to help, any time of day or night
If your loved one has passed away in Philippines, 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 · Philippines repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions