The following information regarding the practical arrangements you will need to
make in the case of a death in Greece is provided by the British Embassy Athens and
the British Consulate in Crete.
The information is also relevant to other Nationalities, who can also obtain help
from their relevant Embassy or Consulate.
Consular staff are aware that practical problems in the death of a friend or
relative abroad make for even greater distress and the Consulates in Crete are
ready to help in any way that they can.
What to Do in the Event of a Death & Who to call
If the deceased was being treated by a local doctor who is willing to come to the
house, then he/she can be called to confirm death, otherwise an ambulance should
be called to confirm the death.
But ambulances will not carry deceased persons from private property such as
homes/hotels, only from public places (such as after a road accident), so after a
doctor or paramedics have confirmed a death, a funeral director should be called to
transport the deceased to the nearest hospital.
If there are any suspicious circumstances or indication of suicide then the police
should also be called.
Local Funeral Directors
A list of funeral directors in Crete is available here
Those listed are all experienced in dealing with foreigners and will have someone
available who can speak English. There are also many other funeral directors who will
organise a local burial efficiently. However, for repatriations, they have to be
experienced in this. Again, this list may not be comprehensive, but includes all those
whom the UK international undertakers deal with.
As regards costs, ask when they require payment; some expect money upfront.
Other Standard Procedures
Following the death of a British national (or other non-Greek national) in Greece, next
of kin, or a formally appointed representative, must decide whether to repatriate the
deceased, or carry out a local burial. Cremation is not yet available in Greece.
Consular staff will pass on to the Consulate overseas the wishes of the next of kin
about disposal of the body.
Under Greek law, a deceased person must be buried within one month of death.
However, in the case of foreign nationals the authorities will normally allow as much
time as necessary. The death must however be registered within 3 days.
If the deceased was covered by travel insurance, it is important for next of kin to
contact the insurance company without delay. If there is no insurance cover, the cost
of repatriation or burial will need to be met by the family. Neither the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office nor our Consulates in Greece have budgets to meet these
costs (non British nationalities check with your Embassy or Consulate).
It is important to remember that if the deceased was travelling with a tour operator,
they can be a valuable source of assistance and advice.
Local Burial
If next of kin choose to proceed with a local burial, they will need to instruct a
local funeral director.
Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion, Rethymnon and Chania have municipal cemeteries where
any nationality/faith can be buried. The cemeteries in other places are usually owned
by the church so it is at their discretion who they allow to be buried there. In our
experience in recent years, if a UK citizen has been resident in the area for some time
and there is room in the cemetery, permission for burial is usually granted. The funeral
director will liaise with whoever is responsible for the cemetery if necessary.
Repatriation
If the deceased was covered by travel insurance, the insurance company will normally
appoint an International funeral director to arrange repatriation. If the deceased is
not covered by insurance, next of kin will need to appoint an International funeral
director themselves. The International funeral director will liaise with local undertakers
to ensure that all necessary requirements are met in Greece.
When the deceased is to be repatriated, the remains must be embalmed and placed
in a zinc-lined coffin. Local undertakers in Greece are equipped to carry out these
procedures. A local civil registry death certificate, plus the doctor's death certificate
(indicating cause of death), a certificate of embalming, and a certificate giving
permission to transfer the remains is required to ship the body. This will be arranged
by the international funeral director.
In certain circumstances repatriation may not always be possible. Our consular staff
will try and inform next of kin as soon as possible if this is the case.
Costs
Funeral directors who deal with repatriations will give a price which includes all costs
for transportation and preparation of the deceased, paperwork and translations -
everything necessary from collecting the deceased to delivering him/her to the airport.
Relatives need to give them details of the UK funeral directors to collect the deceased
at the UK airport.
Inquests
In the event of a death in Greece, the Examining Magistrate will consider the
evidence. If the circumstances of the death were not unusual, registration of the
death is permitted and the body will be released for repatriation or burial. However, if
the Examining Magistrate is not satisfied after the preliminary examination, an
autopsy may be required. Further investigations and interviews with witnesses may
also be called for before a decision is made as to cause of death.
In cases of accident or misadventure, a report of the Examining Magistrate’s findings
will be issued and experience has shown that this can take several months. However,
if death was caused by a criminal act, the police will be ordered to conduct a full
investigation. The State Prosecutor will then decide whether to prosecute.
Autopsies
Autopsies are carried out by court appointed doctors with forensic qualifications.
During an autopsy, organs can be removed for testing at the discretion of the doctor,
without consent of next of kin. Next of kin are not informed about the removal of any
organs. The deceased’s body can be buried or repatriated before tests on removed
organs are completed. Any organs removed are retained for the duration of the tests,
after which they are destroyed.
Should the next of kin have a request that any organs removed are returned they
must apply for a court order. The British Embassy Athens (and other Embassies) can
advise on the procedures to be followed. If the deceased’s body has been
repatriated, next of kin should contact their undertaker in the UK (or other country) to
proceed with the request for the return of any organs removed.
Organs cannot be removed for any purpose other than testing without prior consent
of the deceased (for research) or next of kin (transplants).
Consular Death Registration - British Citizens
There is no obligation for the death overseas of a British national to be registered
with the British Embassy. However, there are the advantages that a British form of
death certificate is then available, and that a record of the death is afterwards held at
the General Register Office in the UK.
To apply from within the UK, you should contact Nationality and Passports Section of
Consular Directorate, Old Admiralty Building, London SW1A 2AF Tel: +44 20 7008
0186. If you are applying from Greece, you should contact the nearest Consulate.
Contacts in Crete
British Vice Consul
Candia Tower, 17 Thalita Street, Agios Dimitrios Square, 71 202 Heraklion
Tel: (0030) 2810 224012
Fax: (0030) 2810 243935
Email: Crete@british-consulate.gr
Open to the public: Monday to Friday, 08.30hrs - 13.30hrs
The British Embassy and all Consulates in Greece have an English-speaking Duty
Officer who is available for help and advice regarding consular emergencies out of
office hours. They can be contacted by phoning +30 210 7237 727 in the first
instance. The Duty Officer will respond to emergency calls within one hour.
Contacts in UK
Consular Directorate - Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Greece and Greek Islands Desk
Tel: +44 20 7008 0141
International Funeral Directors in the UK.
Co-Operative Funeral Services
119 Paisley Road
Glasgow G5 8RL Tel: +44 141 3086217
Fax: +44 141 4294169 email: cfsi@letsco-operate.com
Kenyon Air Transportation
81 Westbourne Grove
London W2 4UL Tel: +44 20 7258 1130
Fax: +44 20 7243 3125 email: katuk@dial.pipex.com
www.gnf24.dial.pipex.com
Phoenix International
13 The Broadway, Gunnersbury Lane
London W3 8HR Tel: +44 20 8993 8767
Rowland Brothers International
299-305 Whitehorse Rd
Croydon CR0 2HR Tel: +44 20 8684 2324
Fax: +44 20 8684 8000 email: info@rowlandbrothersinternational.co.uk
www.rowlandbrothersinternational.co.uk
National Association of Funeral Directors
618 Warwick Road
Solihull B91 1AA Tel: +44 121 711 1343
Fax: +44 121 711 1351 email: info@nafd.org.uk
Please note that the listing of the companies above does not represent FCO
endorsement of their services.
Source and further information: British Embassy Athens
_________________________________________________________
make in the case of a death in Greece is provided by the British Embassy Athens and
the British Consulate in Crete.
The information is also relevant to other Nationalities, who can also obtain help
from their relevant Embassy or Consulate.
Consular staff are aware that practical problems in the death of a friend or
relative abroad make for even greater distress and the Consulates in Crete are
ready to help in any way that they can.
What to Do in the Event of a Death & Who to call
If the deceased was being treated by a local doctor who is willing to come to the
house, then he/she can be called to confirm death, otherwise an ambulance should
be called to confirm the death.
But ambulances will not carry deceased persons from private property such as
homes/hotels, only from public places (such as after a road accident), so after a
doctor or paramedics have confirmed a death, a funeral director should be called to
transport the deceased to the nearest hospital.
If there are any suspicious circumstances or indication of suicide then the police
should also be called.
Local Funeral Directors
A list of funeral directors in Crete is available here
Those listed are all experienced in dealing with foreigners and will have someone
available who can speak English. There are also many other funeral directors who will
organise a local burial efficiently. However, for repatriations, they have to be
experienced in this. Again, this list may not be comprehensive, but includes all those
whom the UK international undertakers deal with.
As regards costs, ask when they require payment; some expect money upfront.
Other Standard Procedures
Following the death of a British national (or other non-Greek national) in Greece, next
of kin, or a formally appointed representative, must decide whether to repatriate the
deceased, or carry out a local burial. Cremation is not yet available in Greece.
Consular staff will pass on to the Consulate overseas the wishes of the next of kin
about disposal of the body.
Under Greek law, a deceased person must be buried within one month of death.
However, in the case of foreign nationals the authorities will normally allow as much
time as necessary. The death must however be registered within 3 days.
If the deceased was covered by travel insurance, it is important for next of kin to
contact the insurance company without delay. If there is no insurance cover, the cost
of repatriation or burial will need to be met by the family. Neither the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office nor our Consulates in Greece have budgets to meet these
costs (non British nationalities check with your Embassy or Consulate).
It is important to remember that if the deceased was travelling with a tour operator,
they can be a valuable source of assistance and advice.
Local Burial
If next of kin choose to proceed with a local burial, they will need to instruct a
local funeral director.
Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion, Rethymnon and Chania have municipal cemeteries where
any nationality/faith can be buried. The cemeteries in other places are usually owned
by the church so it is at their discretion who they allow to be buried there. In our
experience in recent years, if a UK citizen has been resident in the area for some time
and there is room in the cemetery, permission for burial is usually granted. The funeral
director will liaise with whoever is responsible for the cemetery if necessary.
Repatriation
If the deceased was covered by travel insurance, the insurance company will normally
appoint an International funeral director to arrange repatriation. If the deceased is
not covered by insurance, next of kin will need to appoint an International funeral
director themselves. The International funeral director will liaise with local undertakers
to ensure that all necessary requirements are met in Greece.
When the deceased is to be repatriated, the remains must be embalmed and placed
in a zinc-lined coffin. Local undertakers in Greece are equipped to carry out these
procedures. A local civil registry death certificate, plus the doctor's death certificate
(indicating cause of death), a certificate of embalming, and a certificate giving
permission to transfer the remains is required to ship the body. This will be arranged
by the international funeral director.
In certain circumstances repatriation may not always be possible. Our consular staff
will try and inform next of kin as soon as possible if this is the case.
Costs
Funeral directors who deal with repatriations will give a price which includes all costs
for transportation and preparation of the deceased, paperwork and translations -
everything necessary from collecting the deceased to delivering him/her to the airport.
Relatives need to give them details of the UK funeral directors to collect the deceased
at the UK airport.
Inquests
In the event of a death in Greece, the Examining Magistrate will consider the
evidence. If the circumstances of the death were not unusual, registration of the
death is permitted and the body will be released for repatriation or burial. However, if
the Examining Magistrate is not satisfied after the preliminary examination, an
autopsy may be required. Further investigations and interviews with witnesses may
also be called for before a decision is made as to cause of death.
In cases of accident or misadventure, a report of the Examining Magistrate’s findings
will be issued and experience has shown that this can take several months. However,
if death was caused by a criminal act, the police will be ordered to conduct a full
investigation. The State Prosecutor will then decide whether to prosecute.
Autopsies
Autopsies are carried out by court appointed doctors with forensic qualifications.
During an autopsy, organs can be removed for testing at the discretion of the doctor,
without consent of next of kin. Next of kin are not informed about the removal of any
organs. The deceased’s body can be buried or repatriated before tests on removed
organs are completed. Any organs removed are retained for the duration of the tests,
after which they are destroyed.
Should the next of kin have a request that any organs removed are returned they
must apply for a court order. The British Embassy Athens (and other Embassies) can
advise on the procedures to be followed. If the deceased’s body has been
repatriated, next of kin should contact their undertaker in the UK (or other country) to
proceed with the request for the return of any organs removed.
Organs cannot be removed for any purpose other than testing without prior consent
of the deceased (for research) or next of kin (transplants).
Consular Death Registration - British Citizens
There is no obligation for the death overseas of a British national to be registered
with the British Embassy. However, there are the advantages that a British form of
death certificate is then available, and that a record of the death is afterwards held at
the General Register Office in the UK.
To apply from within the UK, you should contact Nationality and Passports Section of
Consular Directorate, Old Admiralty Building, London SW1A 2AF Tel: +44 20 7008
0186. If you are applying from Greece, you should contact the nearest Consulate.
Contacts in Crete
British Vice Consul
Candia Tower, 17 Thalita Street, Agios Dimitrios Square, 71 202 Heraklion
Tel: (0030) 2810 224012
Fax: (0030) 2810 243935
Email: Crete@british-consulate.gr
Open to the public: Monday to Friday, 08.30hrs - 13.30hrs
The British Embassy and all Consulates in Greece have an English-speaking Duty
Officer who is available for help and advice regarding consular emergencies out of
office hours. They can be contacted by phoning +30 210 7237 727 in the first
instance. The Duty Officer will respond to emergency calls within one hour.
Contacts in UK
Consular Directorate - Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Greece and Greek Islands Desk
Tel: +44 20 7008 0141
International Funeral Directors in the UK.
Co-Operative Funeral Services
119 Paisley Road
Glasgow G5 8RL Tel: +44 141 3086217
Fax: +44 141 4294169 email: cfsi@letsco-operate.com
Kenyon Air Transportation
81 Westbourne Grove
London W2 4UL Tel: +44 20 7258 1130
Fax: +44 20 7243 3125 email: katuk@dial.pipex.com
www.gnf24.dial.pipex.com
Phoenix International
13 The Broadway, Gunnersbury Lane
London W3 8HR Tel: +44 20 8993 8767
Rowland Brothers International
299-305 Whitehorse Rd
Croydon CR0 2HR Tel: +44 20 8684 2324
Fax: +44 20 8684 8000 email: info@rowlandbrothersinternational.co.uk
www.rowlandbrothersinternational.co.uk
National Association of Funeral Directors
618 Warwick Road
Solihull B91 1AA Tel: +44 121 711 1343
Fax: +44 121 711 1351 email: info@nafd.org.uk
Please note that the listing of the companies above does not represent FCO
endorsement of their services.
Source and further information: British Embassy Athens
_________________________________________________________
| Copyright 2004-2012 Carol Palioudaki. Bereavement in Crete. www.livingincrete.ne |
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