Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the Philippines to Greece
For families bringing someone home to Greece. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Quick answer
Repatriation from the 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.
- 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. Contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country (citizens of Greece: +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. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
The process
Key steps for repatriation from the Philippines
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 the Philippines to Greece
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.
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the Philippines to Greece 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 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 the ashes home to Greece 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.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in the Philippines, 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 Greece.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: Official guidance on a death in the Philippines (gov.uk) · Philippines repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions