Repatriation from Greece
How do you bring a loved one home from Greece?
You appoint a repatriation specialist who coordinates local funeral directors, obtains all required documentation, and arranges air freight. The process typically takes 10-21 days.
First 24 hours
What should happen in the first 24 hours after a death in Greece?
Contact emergency services (112 or 166 for ambulance, 100 for police). A doctor certifies the death and issues a medical certificate. Contact the British Embassy in Athens or nearest consulate.
The most important step is to contact a specialist repatriation company. They will tell you exactly what to do and begin coordinating with local authorities on your behalf.
Timeline
How long does repatriation from Greece take?
In most cases, repatriation from Greece takes 10-21 days. The fastest straightforward cases complete in 8-12 days. Complex cases involving a post-mortem, criminal investigation, or a remote location can extend to 4-12 weeks or beyond.
What makes a case complex?
- Island location (adds internal transport to Athens)
- Post-mortem investigation (reports can take months or over a year)
- Tourist season backlogs (June-September)
- Small island bureaucracy with limited English
- Prosecutor permission required to release body after post-mortem
- Greek death certificate requires separate translation (no multilingual version)
- Easter and other Orthodox holiday closures
- Ferry schedule disruptions due to weather (meltemi wind in Aegean, summer)
Documentation
What documents are required to bring a body home from Greece?
All of these documents must be in place before air transport can proceed. Your appointed repatriation coordinator will obtain most of them.
- Greek death certificate (lixiarxiki praxi thanatou)
- Certified translation of death certificate
- Coroner/prosecutor permission to release body
- Embalming certificate
- Freedom from infection certificate
- Passport of deceased (or copy)
- Airline cargo documentation
Documentation typically takes 8-10 days for local formalities (per gov.uk FCDO guidance) to complete.
Post-mortem
Will a post-mortem be required in Greece?
Post mortem ordered by the prosecutor if death is sudden, unexplained, or suspicious..
Can delay repatriation significantly. Prosecutor must give permission to release the body.
Do not authorise cremation in Greece if you think a UK inquest may be required. Once cremation takes place, evidence is destroyed and the coroner cannot proceed.
British Embassy
What does the British Embassy in Greece do when someone dies?
The British Embassy provides consular assistance, which includes giving you a list of local funeral directors, helping you notify relatives, and advising on local procedures. What the Embassy cannot do is pay for repatriation, organise the funeral director, or make arrangements on your behalf.
Full embassy guide
All British Embassy contacts in Greece
Alternative option
Can ashes be brought home from Greece instead of a full body?
Yes, cremation facilities are available in Greece. Transporting ashes to the UK requires specific documents and must comply with airline regulations.
Documents needed to transport ashes
- Death certificate (Greek, with certified translation)
- Cremation certificate
Do NOT cremate abroad if a UK coroner may need to hold an inquest. Cremation destroys evidence.
Generally yes, with documentation. Notify airline in advance.
Getting started
How do you start the repatriation process from Greece?
Call a specialist repatriation company. Do not wait until all other steps are complete. A specialist can begin the process immediately, even before the local death certificate has been issued.
You will need to provide: the name of the deceased, the location of the body, your contact details, and the name and contact of the local hospital or authority holding the body.
Get in touch now
Available 24 hours a day. We begin working on your case from the first message.
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Other frequently asked questions about repatriation from Greece
Repatriation from Greece typically takes 10-21 days. Complex cases can take 4-12 weeks or longer.
Please contact our team for specific guidance. We are available 24 hours a day via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
The key documents are: local death certificate, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and airline cargo documentation.
Please contact our team for specific guidance. We are available 24 hours a day via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
Please contact our team for specific guidance. We are available 24 hours a day via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
Please contact our team for specific guidance. We are available 24 hours a day via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
Please contact our team for specific guidance. We are available 24 hours a day via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
Please contact our team for specific guidance. We are available 24 hours a day via our enquiry form or WhatsApp.
We are here to help, any time of day or night
If your loved one has passed away in Greece, please do not face this alone. Our team will guide you through every step.
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 May 2026.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Embassy contacts: Greece · Frequently asked questions