Funeral repatriation guidance
Repatriation from Turkey to the UK
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Repatriation from Turkey to the UK: key requirements
Repatriation from Turkey to the UK follows a defined process involving the Turkish death certificate, embalming at a licensed mortuary, and an export permit from the Turkish authorities. Most straightforward cases complete within 10 to 21 days.
- Turkey requires embalming at a licensed mortuary before the body can be exported. This is standard practice and handled by the local funeral director coordinating with the UK family's appointed specialist.
- Tourist resort cases, including Antalya, Bodrum, Marmaris, and Alanya, involve regional health authority offices rather than central Istanbul or Ankara, which can add time.
The British Embassy in Ankara and the consulate in Istanbul cannot pay for repatriation but can provide a list of reputable local funeral directors and advise on the documentation process.
Process verified May 2026, how we verify
Step by step
The repatriation process from Turkey
Here is what happens after a death in Turkey, and what you or your appointed coordinator needs to do at each stage.
Immediate steps after death
Contact emergency services (112 for all emergencies, or 155 for police, 156 for gendarmerie in rural areas). A doctor must certify the death. If death occurs outside a hospital, …
Death registration and certificate
Death must be registered at the local nufus mudurlugu (civil registry office). The hospital or doctor provides the initial medical certificate. The muhtar (local official) may need …
Embassy/Consulate notification
British Embassy in Ankara or the nearest consulate must be notified. Turkey has British consulates in the major tourist areas. The Istanbul and Antalya consulates handle the …
Embalming and preparation
Embalming is required for international repatriation but is NOT standard practice in Turkey. Islamic tradition opposes embalming, so it is not routinely performed for Turkish …
Coffin requirements
Zinc-lined hermetically sealed coffin required for international air transport per IATA regulations. Available in Istanbul, Ankara, and major cities. Resort towns may need coffins …
Documentation for repatriation
Turkish bureaucracy can be slow and require multiple office visits. Each document may need separate stamps and approvals. The muhtar, hospital, civil registry, and health authority …
Air transport to UK
Body transported as human remains cargo on commercial flights. Istanbul is the main cargo hub with excellent international connectivity. Turkish Airlines has good cargo capacity …
Reception in UK
UK funeral director receives body at the airport, completes customs clearance, and transports to the chosen funeral home.
What you will need
Documents required for repatriation from Turkey
The following documents must be obtained before your loved one can be transported to the UK. Your local funeral director will help gather most of these.
- Turkish death certificate (olum belgesi)
- Certified translation of death certificate
- Embalming certificate
- Freedom from infection certificate (saglk raporu)
- Passport of deceased (or copy)
- Turkish transit permit (nakil izin belgesi)
- Airline cargo documentation
Documentation typically takes 5-10 days for documentation to complete.
If a post-mortem is required
Post mortem ordered by the Turkish public prosecutor (cumhuriyet savcisi) if death is sudden, violent, suspicious, or cause is unknown. Standard for non-natural deaths.. Can delay repatriation by 2-6 weeks. Prosecutor must authorise release of the body.
We handle the paperwork
Our team coordinates with local funeral directors in Turkey to ensure all documentation is obtained correctly and on time.
What to expect
How long does repatriation from Turkey take?
Timelines vary depending on the circumstances of the death and the speed of local authorities. Here is a realistic guide.
Best case
7-10 days
Natural death, straightforward documentation, no post-mortem required.
Typical case
10-21 days
Most repatriations from Turkey fall within this range.
Complex case
4-8 weeks
Post-mortem, inquest, criminal investigation, or remote location involved.
Factors that can extend the timeline
- Post-mortem investigation by public prosecutor
- Death outside a major city (limited facilities, muhtar process)
- Turkish bureaucracy requiring multiple office visits
- Translation and notarisation of documents
- Earthquake zones: natural disaster deaths may involve mass casualty protocols and identification delays
- Eastern Turkey: limited infrastructure, security concerns in some border regions
- Public holiday closures (Bayram holidays, secular holidays)
- Kurdish regions: additional security bureaucracy possible
- Medical tourism deaths: hospital investigations may add complexity
Cost
What does repatriation from Turkey cost?
Every case is different, so we do not quote a figure until we know the details. Contact us for a case-specific estimate with no obligation.
What the cost depends on
- Whether a post-mortem or inquest is required
- Distance and location, including island or remote transfers
- Documentation and certification needed for Turkey
- Whether travel insurance covers repatriation
- Air freight availability and timing
Travel insurance with repatriation cover often meets the full cost. Without insurance, the family is responsible for costs directly; the embassy and consulate cannot pay repatriation expenses. How we verify our information.
Travel insurance
Check whether your policy, or the deceased's policy, includes repatriation cover. If it does, the insurer typically appoints and funds the funeral director directly.
Official support
British Embassy and consulates in Turkey
The British Embassy can provide assistance and information, but cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact them as early as possible.
Consulates
Cultural context
Cultural considerations in Turkey
The Islamic prohibition on embalming is the key cultural factor for British families arranging repatriation from Turkey. Professional funeral directors in Istanbul, Ankara, and tourist coastal areas handle repatriation regularly and understand the requirement. In smaller or inland towns, this may be less straightforward.
Local customs to be aware of
- Ritual washing (ghusl) is an important Islamic funeral rite
- Body wrapped in white shroud (kefen), not placed in a decorative coffin for Islamic burial
- Burial happens rapidly, ideally within 24 hours
- Graves face Mecca (Qibla direction)
- Mourning period of 3 days is traditional. Extended mourning (40 days) is observed by close family.
- Helva (halva) is traditionally prepared and distributed to visitors during mourning
- Mevlut (religious ceremony) may be held on the 7th, 40th, and 52nd day after death
Common questions
Frequently asked questions about repatriation from Turkey
Repatriation from Turkey typically takes 10-21 days in a straightforward case. The fastest we have seen is 7-10 days, while complex cases involving a post-mortem or investigation can take 4-8 weeks or longer.
The cost of repatriation from Turkey depends on the circumstances, including whether a post-mortem is required and how the location affects transport. It covers local funeral director fees, embalming, a zinc-lined coffin, documentation, air freight, and UK reception. Contact us for a case-specific estimate.
The key documents required are: local death certificate, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, and airline cargo documentation. Your local funeral director will gather most of these on your behalf.
Yes, cremation in Turkey is an option.
Please contact our team for specific guidance on this question. We are available 24 hours a day.
Please contact our team for specific guidance on this question. We are available 24 hours a day.
Please contact our team for specific guidance on this question. We are available 24 hours a day.
Please contact our team for specific guidance on this question. We are available 24 hours a day.
Just found out? Start here
If a death in Turkey has just occurred and you are not sure what to do first, our step-by-step guide explains everything from the first call through to bringing your loved one home.
What to do if someone dies in TurkeyRoute guides
Repatriation routes from Turkey
Bringing someone from Turkey to a country other than the UK? These route guides cover the documentation, timeline and process for each corridor.
Alternative option
Cremation in Turkey and ashes transport
Some families choose cremation in Turkey and arrange for ashes to be returned to the UK. This is often simpler and less costly than full body repatriation.
Already have ashes?
Bringing ashes from Turkey to the UK: documents and airline rules
Cost
Cremation and ashes return costs depend on your circumstances. Contact us for a case-specific estimate.
Ask about ashes transportWe are here to help, any time of day or night
If your loved one has passed away in Turkey, please do not face this alone. Our team will guide you through every step.
Thank you. We have received your enquiry and will be in touch as soon as possible, usually within a few hours.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) guidance, official embassy contacts, and professional repatriation experience. Process and costs verified May 2026. How we verify information.
Sources: FCDO gov.uk · Full guide: what to do if someone dies in Turkey · Frequently asked questions