Road transportation
• Repatriation of the body from abroad to Belarus
• Transportation of the body to Russia and the CIS:
• Transportation of the body to Russia and the CIS:
Body repatriation from Belarus to Greece
How to arrange transportation of a coffin with the body
Regardless of the mode of transportation (aircraft, road transport), delivery of cargo 200 is a highly responsible task, complex both documentarily and organisationally.
This procedure requires compliance with specific conditions (storage, transportation of the body) and involves the preparation of numerous permit documents for the transportation of cargo.
Full repatriation from Minsk to Athens and any Greek region
The Belarusian community in Greece is concentrated around Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras and the major islands — Crete, Rhodes and Corfu. Many Belarusians arrived in the 2000s and obtained Greek citizenship through marriage or long-term residence. Families often wish to bury a loved one in a Greek Orthodox cemetery next to relatives or, conversely, to bring to Greece the body of a citizen who died in Minsk during a visit. Our service handles every formality: we answer calls any hour, build a plan, collect the body at the Minsk morgue and bring the process to handover to a γραφείο τελετών.
In Belarus we issue the death certificate at ZAGS where death was registered, obtain the forensic conclusion from the State Committee of Forensic Examinations in Minsk, prepare an embalming certificate, the zinc-coffin sealing act and the export permit. The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues the apostille — Greece accepts it under the Hague Convention without additional legalisation. A sworn translator prepares a Greek or English version. Greek μητρόπολις and δήμος accept both, but Greek is preferred for burial at an Orthodox cemetery.
The main air route departs from Minsk National Airport (MSQ) with a transfer in Warsaw (LOT) or Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), landing at Athens-Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) or Thessaloniki-Makedonia (SKG). Total transit time is 24 to 30 hours. For island destinations Aegean or Olympic domestic flights carry the cargo onwards to Heraklion, Rhodes, Corfu or Mykonos. Road transport by hearse through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia and North Macedonia to Thessaloniki is possible but takes 5 to 7 days due to non-Schengen transit.
In Greece our partner — a licensed γραφείο τελετών — meets the cargo at the Athens or Thessaloniki airport, clears Greek customs and coordinates burial or cremation with the δήμος and the Orthodox metropolitanate. Orthodox rites at parishes of the Church of Greece, Catholic rites at the Archdiocese of Athens, Muslim rites in Thrace, and cremation at Ramnus or Patras — still the only Greek crematoria — are available. Island burials require additional ferry logistics, which we manage fully. We coordinate with the Belarusian consulate in Athens.
The +375 29 314-59-59 line is answered round the clock. On the first call we prepare a free transparent quote: body preparation in Minsk, zinc coffin, documents, apostille, sworn translation, air tariff or hearse, customs in Greece, handover to the γραφείο τελετών. The price is fixed in the contract without hidden fees. Payments are accepted in BYN, EUR and USD by bank transfer, and a full set of financial documents is issued. Call — the coordinator will take on every formality so the family can prepare quietly for the farewell in Greece.
Quick summary
- Phone 24/7: +375 29 314-59-59
- Documents: ZAGS, forensic report, MFA apostille, Greek/English translation
Frequently asked questions
Which Greek cities do you deliver to?
We cover all of mainland and insular Greece. The main air gateways are Athens-Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) and Thessaloniki-Makedonia (SKG). From there Greek partners transport the cargo to Patras, Larissa, Volos, Heraklion, Chania, Rhodes, Kos, Corfu, Ioannina and Kalamata. For the islands we use Aegean and Olympic domestic flights; for smaller islands an additional ferry. With road delivery across the Balkans we drive the hearse directly to the γραφείο τελετών address.
What documents are needed in Belarus and Greece?
In Belarus: ZAGS death certificate, forensic conclusion from the State Committee of Forensic Examinations, embalming certificate, zinc-coffin sealing act, export permit and MFA apostille. In Greece: international Laissez-Passer, apostilled dossier with Greek or English translation, ληξιαρχική πράξη θανάτου at the δήμος and άδεια ταφής from the local metropolitanate or municipality. Our team prepares both packages in parallel so that Athens or Thessaloniki customs do not delay the cargo.
How long does delivery from Minsk to Greece take?
Air transport via Warsaw or Istanbul to Athens takes 3 to 5 calendar days. That covers embalming, zinc-coffin sealing, the Belarusian MFA apostille (one to two days, or same-day express), sworn translation and the flight itself. Road transport by hearse through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia and North Macedonia to Thessaloniki takes 5 to 7 days due to non-Schengen transit countries and multiple customs posts.
How much does repatriation from Belarus to Greece cost?
The quote includes body preparation in Minsk, zinc and wooden coffins, ZAGS documents, MFA apostille, sworn translation, LOT/Turkish/Aegean air tariff or hearse work, customs clearance in Greece, meeting the cargo and handover to the γραφείο τελετών. The final figure depends on weight, urgency and regional distance (especially for islands). Call +375 29 314-59-59 — a specialist will prepare a free transparent estimate in EUR and fix it into the contract without hidden surcharges.
Is a zinc coffin mandatory?
Yes. IATA rules, EU sanitary requirements and Greek standards mandate a hermetic zinc insert inside a wooden coffin. Sealing is performed in Minsk by our specialists with a sanitary inspector present, and a sealing act with a serial number is issued. Greek customs and γραφείο τελετών verify zinc integrity on arrival. Opening the zinc coffin on Greek soil without permission from the δήμος sanitary service is forbidden — only the wooden lid is lifted for farewell at the church or hall.
How do I obtain the apostille in Belarus?
The apostille is issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus at 19 Lenina Street in Minsk. Since Belarus is a Hague Convention member, the apostille is fully recognised in Greece. Standard processing takes one to two working days; express can be done the same day. Our lawyer files documents by notarised proxy, pays the fee and hands the ready package to a sworn translator for Greek or English, certified by the Greek consulate in Minsk.
Can I accompany the body to Greece?
Yes. Relatives may fly on the same LOT/Turkish/Aegean flight or travel with the hearse across the Balkans. For flights via Warsaw or Istanbul a Schengen visa is required — the Greek consulate in Minsk and visa centres accept applications on an express basis with the death certificate. The hearse cabin has one or two seats for accompanying persons, though for the long Balkan route additional transit visas may be required. We issue the accompaniment certificate at once.
What visas do relatives need for Greece?
Belarusian citizens obtain a Schengen visa at the Greek consulate in Minsk or through the VFS Global visa centre. With the apostilled death certificate and an invitation letter from a Greek γραφείο τελετών the visa is issued urgently within one to three working days. Citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan and other countries apply through their own consulates. We prepare an official invitation in Greek and English and email it to the family before the submission.
Do you work on weekends and holidays?
Yes, the +375 29 314-59-59 line operates 24/7. We answer calls on New Year, Orthodox and Catholic Christmas, Radunitsa, Easter, Belarusian Victory and Independence Days, and Greek Χριστούγεννα, Πάσχα (which coincides with Belarusian Orthodox Easter), Πρωτοχρονιά, Δεκαπενταύγουστο and Όχι. The body-collection team is dispatched at any hour. ZAGS and MFA paperwork is filed on the next working day, while body preparation and zinc-coffin sealing proceed in parallel.
What if documents are not yet ready?
Call immediately. We begin body preparation, embalming, zinc-coffin sealing and flight booking in parallel with the paperwork. Our lawyer obtains the medical death certificate from the State Committee of Forensic Examinations, registers the death at ZAGS, picks up the official certificate, submits it for the MFA apostille and forwards it to a sworn translator. If relatives are abroad, everything is handled under a notarised power of attorney certified at the Greek embassy or by a Greek notary.