🇬🇷 Greece Funeral Procedures
Many individuals holding Greek citizenship reside in Turkey. In the event of a death — whether due to an unexpected accident or natural causes — it may become necessary to transport the deceased to Greece. In this article, you will find detailed information about how to transfer a body to Greece, which documents are required, and how the process proceeds.
📝 Required Documents for the Transfer of a Body to Greece
To transport a body to Greece, certain official documents must be prepared in a specific order through the relevant authorities. The first of these documents is the death certificate, which confirms the individual’s death.
The method of obtaining a death certificate varies depending on where and under what circumstances the death occurred. If the death occurred at home due to natural causes, a physician must be requested from the municipality where the address is registered. The municipal doctor conducts the necessary examination and, if appropriate, issues the death certificate. If the death occurred in a hospital, the certificate must be issued by hospital doctors. You can obtain this document by applying to the hospital administration.
If the death was part of a legal investigation or involved judicial circumstances, the Public Prosecutor’s Office must issue the death certificate. After the legal guardians apply to the prosecutor’s office, a detailed death report is prepared and officially documented.
If an autopsy has been performed on the deceased, the death certificate must be obtained from the Forensic Medicine Institution. After the forensic examination is completed, the specialists issue the report containing the findings and observations, which is then delivered to the applicant.
After obtaining the death certificate, an internationally valid document called the Formül C Certificate must also be obtained. This document includes the deceased person’s identity information, cause of death, and medical observations. To receive the Formül C certificate, one must visit the nearest civil registry office with the death certificate.
After obtaining the death certificate and Formül C certificate, an intercity transport permit must be obtained from the municipality. This document is mandatory for transporting a body to Greece. Once this permit is issued by municipal authorities, the next step is to acquire the embalming (preservation) report.
The embalming process involves preparing the body for international transfer. The body is first washed and cleaned thoroughly, then wrapped in a canvas or similar covering. Depending on the transfer requirements, it is placed in a wooden, metal-zinc, or lead coffin. During this stage, precautions are taken to prevent any leakage or odor during transport. If there is any suspicion of an infectious disease, the coffin must be sealed by soldering the lid completely shut. After these procedures are completed, the embalming report is issued by the facility that performed the embalming process.
With the four main documents — death certificate, Formül C certificate, transport permit, and embalming report — the necessary paperwork is complete, and the transfer procedures can begin.
📌 Funeral Transfer Procedures to Greece
Once all documents required for the transfer to Greece have been completed, several additional steps must be followed. These procedures differ depending on the method of transport.
If the transfer is to be carried out by air, all collected documents must be presented to customs officers at the airport. If an escort will accompany the body, their personal information must also be submitted. If the body is being sent without an escort, the information of the person who will receive it in Greece must be provided. After verification and registration by customs officers, the body is cleared for loading onto the aircraft.
If the transfer will be made by land, the necessary customs procedures must be carried out at the border gate. The vehicle information used for transport must also be presented to customs authorities. Once all checks are completed, the transport process may proceed.
Funeral transfers to Greece are emotionally and administratively sensitive procedures. Therefore, ensuring that all documents are complete and accurately prepared is of great importance. For detailed information and professional assistance regarding the required documents and process, you can contact Marsel Visa consultants.