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EuropeRepatriation to Cyprus and repatriation to Germany
Cyprus is an island – repatriation in a coffin is practically only possible by air freight via Larnaca or Paphos. irespect LTD is based in Paphos, and we have our own staff member in Cyprus who is the local contact for the family, funeral directors and authorities.
Rudolf Nordheimer and team – in German, Russian or English.
Cyprus at a glance
- Transport route
- Air freight; Larnaca (LCA) and Paphos (PFO) airports in the area under the control of the Republic of Cyprus
- On site
- irespect LTD headquarters in Paphos, our own staff member in Cyprus
- Certificates
- No apostille for civil status documents within the EU (Regulation (EU) 2016/1191); Cypriot death certificate is trilingual (Greek, Turkish, English)
- Agreements
- Cyprus has been a party to the Council of Europe Agreement of 1973 on the Transfer of Corpses since 1975; Germany has only signed it, not ratified it – so it does not apply between Germany and Cyprus
- Representation in Germany
- Cypriot Embassy in Berlin; Consulate General in Hamburg (for HH, HB, NI, SH); honorary consuls, including in Frankfurt am Main
- German mission in Cyprus
- German Embassy Nicosia
Repatriation from Germany to Cyprus
If a relative who died in Germany is to be buried in Cyprus, we transfer the coffin by air freight – directly or with a connection, depending on the route – to Larnaca or Paphos. There are flights from several German cities, some of them only seasonal. We check for each repatriation whether a connection accepts coffins as freight. Cyprus is part of the EU but not of the Schengen Area; documents are checked on entry and must be carried in full.
Required are the German death certificate, the body passport (Leichenpass) from the competent German authority, medical certificates and a coffin approved for air transport. An apostille is not required within the EU. In Cyprus, funerals traditionally take place very quickly, often within 24 to 48 hours of death. For a repatriation from Germany, the family therefore only plans the funeral service once the flight and arrival are confirmed.
Our staff member in Cyprus receives the coffin at the airport, coordinates with the local funeral director, the parish and the cemetery and keeps the family informed – in Russian too, if desired.
- Death certificatefrom the German civil registry office, with a multilingual EU form on request
- Body passportTransport permit from the competent German authority
- Medical certificatesMedical certificate of death, certificate of absence of infectious diseases, proof of embalming if applicable
- Air waybillBooking with the airline to Larnaca or Paphos
- Identity documentPassport or identity card of the deceased
Death on holiday in Cyprus – repatriation to Germany
If someone dies in the Republic of Cyprus, the funeral director usually registers the death with the District Administration Office of the district in which it occurred. The death certificate is issued in three languages – Greek, Turkish and English – and does not state the cause of death. Further copies can later only be obtained in person from the District Administration Office. If the death was not natural or its cause is not immediately clear, an autopsy is usually carried out in a state hospital within one to four working days. Reports are often only available after months and only in Greek.
Anyone repatriated from Cyprus must be embalmed under Cypriot law. According to Cypriot sources, the accompanying document for the body is issued by the Ministry of Health; we clarify in advance which documents are needed for Germany. First check whether there is travel or funeral insurance: if the insurer confirms cover, it usually appoints the funeral directors itself. The German Embassy in Nicosia is responsible for German nationals.
The Republic of Cyprus does not exercise effective control over the northern part of the island; it is recognised as a separate state only by Turkey. According to the German Federal Foreign Office, the German Embassy can provide only limited consular assistance there. Repatriation from the north is possible via Turkey or via the Republic of Cyprus. In the latter case, according to the British Foreign Office, a second autopsy is usually carried out and a new death certificate issued by the Republic, often with a different date of death. We clarify the route on a case-by-case basis.
- Death certificatefrom the District Administration Office, trilingual, without cause of death
- Accompanying document for the bodyfrom the Cypriot Ministry of Health
- Embalming certificaterequired by law for repatriation
- Release after autopsyonly in the case of an unnatural or unexplained death
- Passport or identity cardof the deceased
Good to know: no crematorium in Cyprus and Orthodox tradition
Cremation is permitted by law in Cyprus, but to our knowledge no crematorium is yet in operation (as of October 2026). Cremations have therefore so far been carried out abroad. For families, it may therefore make sense to repatriate the deceased in a coffin to Germany and have the cremation carried out here.
The Church of Cyprus holds on to earth burial as an expression of Orthodox tradition, but does not regard cremation as a matter of faith. For burials in Cyprus, we agree dates with the parish; because of the short time frames, local coordination by our staff member in Cyprus is particularly helpful.
Urn transfer to Cyprus
As there is not yet a crematorium in Cyprus, an urn usually comes from abroad – for example after cremation in Germany. For an urn burial in a Cypriot cemetery, we clarify the conditions with the cemetery and parish in advance. Anyone wishing to scatter the ashes in Cyprus needs permission from the municipality where this is to take place. Taking an urn on a plane is subject to the rules of the respective airline; the death certificate and cremation certificate must always accompany it.
More about urn transferFixed price for repatriation to Cyprus
Tell us where the deceased is now. We will check what Cyprus requires and send you a written fixed price – free of charge and without obligation.
- Free and without obligation
- Written fixed price, no extra charges later
- Your data stays with us
- Request
- –
- Urgency
- Immediately
- Contact
- Phone call
Your enquiry goes directly to Rudolf Nordheimer. You will receive a written fixed price.
Frequently asked questions about Cyprus
Your question isn’t here? Call us – we will answer right away.
All questionsHow is a deceased person repatriated to Cyprus?
By air freight in a coffin to Larnaca or Paphos, directly or with a connection, depending on the route. Overland transport is not an option for the island. Our staff member in Cyprus handles the local coordination.
Is there a crematorium in Cyprus?
To our knowledge, no crematorium is yet in operation in Cyprus (as of October 2026). Cremations therefore take place abroad, for example after repatriation to Germany.
Does the Cypriot death certificate state the cause of death?
No. The death certificate from the District Administration Office is trilingual (Greek, Turkish, English) but does not state the cause of death. German authorities do not require an apostille for it, as Cyprus is part of the EU.
What applies in the event of a death in northern Cyprus?
The Republic of Cyprus has no effective control over the north, and the German embassy can only provide limited assistance there. Repatriation is possible via Turkey or via the Republic of Cyprus; in the latter case, a second autopsy and a new death certificate usually follow. We advise you on the right route.
Does a deceased person have to be embalmed for repatriation from Cyprus?
Yes, embalming is required by law in Cyprus for repatriation. The Cypriot funeral director issues a certificate for this, which accompanies the transport.
Sources: German Federal Foreign Office: Cyprus – travel and safety advice (as of 08.10.2026) · German Federal Foreign Office: Cypriot missions in Germany · Verdragenbank (Netherlands): Overeenkomst inzake het vervoer van lijken (Council of Europe 1973) – parties and declarations · German Embassy Athens: Apostille information sheet (VO (EU) 2016/1191) · GOV.UK (FCDO): Bereavement information for Cyprus · GOV.UK (FCDO): Bereavement information for Cyprus (north) · Wikipedia: Larnaca International Airport (airports, operator, destinations)
Information provided without guarantee, as of 10/2026. Requirements of authorities and airlines change; we check them for each case.
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Day and night, including weekends. One call is all it takes to get the repatriation under way.