When does exhumation usually take place in Greece?

The timing depends on the municipality and cemetery rules. In Attica, exhumation commonly takes place after around three years, but each cemetery may apply different regulations depending on availability and local policy.

Can Athens Funerals handle the cemetery paperwork for exhumation?

Yes. Athens Funerals can coordinate with the cemetery office, manage the required formalities, submit requests where needed and organise the exhumation procedure from start to finish.

Can bones be transferred to another cemetery or abroad after exhumation?

Yes. We can arrange the transfer of bones and remains to an ossuary, another cemetery in Greece, a crematorium or abroad, subject to the required permits and supporting documents.

Exhumation Services

When the funeral marks the final farewell, exhumation is often the moment when loss becomes real again for the family. Bone collection and exhumation procedures can be emotionally demanding, which is why they must be handled with discretion, care and full respect for the memory of the deceased.

The timing of exhumation depends on the municipality and cemetery regulations where the burial took place. In Attica, exhumation is commonly scheduled after approximately three years, although each cemetery may apply its own rules depending on space availability and local procedures.

At Athens Funerals, we undertake the full coordination of exhumation services in Athens and throughout Greece, helping families complete every required procedure on time and with as little stress as possible.

FUNERAL HOME Athens Funerals, Kokkinos Mylos Cemetery, Nea Philadelphia, Attica. Tel. +30 694 420 3320

Athens Funerals — Exhumation, Cemetery Procedures & Bone Collection Services.

We organise the exhumation service in direct coordination with the cemetery office and, when required, arrange all ceremony details with the church priest.

Handling all cemetery and municipal formalities with the competent authorities, including pending administrative matters such as the removal of the liable party from annual cemetery maintenance records where applicable.

Submitting a justified request for burial extension when the family wishes to request additional time before exhumation, in accordance with the cemetery municipality protocol.

Providing a wide range of ossuary boxes and storage solutions for the placement and safekeeping of the remains after exhumation.

Transfer of bones and collected remains to the destination chosen by the family, whether this is an ossuary in any cemetery in Greece, a communal burial chamber, or the crematorium for final cremation of remains.

Applying for permission to transport bones abroad for repatriation, including the preparation and submission of all required documents such as bone disinfection certificates and copies of the death certificate.

Exhumation and ossuary arrangements by Athens Funerals

Bone Collection & Exhumation

We cover the ceremonial requirements and exhumation equipment needed for the procedure, including burial cloths, linens, ritual wine, censer, charcoal and the performance of a memorial trisagion by a priest when requested.

Professional exhumation support in Athens and Greece

Exhumation Support by Athens Funerals

With or without your physical presence at the exhumation ceremony, and always with your prior consent, we handle every stage with professionalism, sensitivity and genuine respect:

We honour the memory of the deceased and the trust of the family who chooses our funeral home to represent them during such a difficult moment.

Our long-standing experience in funeral organisation is reflected in consistency, reliability and high-quality service at every stage of the process.

Because we understand that the passing of time after burial can revive grief, we protect families from additional worries by offering well-organised exhumation services at fair and transparent cost.

Services

Understanding the importance of our role, we provide complete funeral and memorial service solutions with professionalism and respect.

Funerals

With respect for the religious, cultural and personal wishes of the deceased and their family, we organise every type of funeral service, including religious, civil and special arrangements.

Cremation

We ensure the timely and effective completion of all procedures required for cremation services in Greece, including coordination, documentation and family support.

Grave monuments and memorial construction

Memorials

Backed by decades of family experience, Athens Funerals offers high-quality grave construction, renovation and memorial monument services for individual and family graves.