International funeral repatriation, based in Istanbul
Funeral Repatriation from Turkey to the World, and from the World to Turkey
We coordinate the documents, consulate, embalming and air cargo from a single point of contact. You can reach us day and night; in the first call we explain clearly what will happen, what we will need from you and how long it is likely to take.
- Phone and WhatsApp, 24/7
- Single point of contact
- Refrigerated transfer vehicle
How can we help?
Choose the route that fits your situation; each page sets out the process, the documents required and the estimated time.
How the process works
Seven steps. At each one we tell you what we need from you and how long it usually takes.
- 1
First call and information
- What you provide
- Place of death, the deceased's ID or passport details, phone number of the relative we should contact
- Estimated time
- Same day
- 2
Death certificate and official procedures
- What you provide
- The deceased's ID card or passport
- Estimated time
- Usually 1 day; longer if there is a judicial procedure
- 3
Collection of the deceased and cold chain
- What you provide
- Proof of kinship or a power of attorney authorising release
- Estimated time
- Same day, once the certificate is ready
- 4
Preparation: washing, embalming, coffin
- What you provide
- Brief information on the family's religious preferences
- Estimated time
- Usually 1 day
- 5
Consular and transfer documents
- What you provide
- Power of attorney if required; details of the person receiving the deceased in the destination country
- Estimated time
- Usually 1-3 working days; depends on the consulate
- 6
Airline booking and customs
- What you provide
- Destination airport and details of the receiving funeral director or person
- Estimated time
- 1-2 days, depending on flight availability
- 7
Handover and burial coordination
- What you provide
- Preferred burial place
- Estimated time
- Day of arrival
Supporting services
Documents and consulate
Death certificate, multilingual death certificate extract (Formule C), burial transit permit, consular approval.
Embalming and coffin
Sealed (zinc-lined) coffin suitable for air transport, and the embalming certificate.
Airline and customs
Cargo booking and air waybill through IATA-accredited agents.
Domestic transfer
Intercity transfer in a refrigerated vehicle and burial coordination.
Countries we serve
Each country has its own page with the process, documents and points to note. For a country not listed, call us; we confirm what is possible in the first call.
Why Doğu Batı?
One point of contact
We deal with the hospital, prosecutor's office, civil registry, consulate, airline and customs; you speak to one person.
Clear information
At every step we tell you in advance what will happen, what we need from you and the estimated time. A written quote is free of charge.
Cold chain
The deceased is collected in a refrigerated vehicle and the cold chain is maintained until departure.
Experience with families from abroad
We handle funeral arrangements for tourists, medical travellers and foreign nationals living in Turkey; we correspond in English and Russian.
Corporate
Your partner in Istanbul for insurers, assistance companies and funeral directors
We work with hospitals, consulates, insurers and assistance companies. We have a dedicated corporate line for airport collection, domestic transfer, document handling and burial coordination.
Frequently asked questions
How long does repatriation from Turkey take?
Usually 2-4 days if the documents are complete. A judicial procedure, an autopsy, the consulate's working days and flight availability can extend this. In the first call we give you an estimate for your own situation.
Who pays the costs?
Costs are usually covered by the family, an insurer or the funeral fund the deceased belonged to. If there is travel insurance, health insurance or an assistance policy, repatriation is often covered. We check the cover together.
How is the price determined?
The destination country, the air cargo charge, consular fees, the type of coffin and the distance from the place of death to Istanbul determine the price. The initial consultation and the written quote are free of charge; each item is shown separately in the quote.
Which documents are required?
The core documents are the death certificate, the multilingual death certificate extract (Formule C), the burial transit permit, the embalming certificate and the approval of the destination country's consulate. Additional documents may be required depending on the country. The full list is on the Documents and Consulate page.
Who handles the procedures if my family cannot be there?
With a power of attorney we can carry out the procedures on your behalf. Relatives abroad can also grant a power of attorney at a Turkish consulate. We keep you regularly informed about the handover and the documents.
Contact us
Our phone and WhatsApp line is open day and night. If you fill in the form, we will call you back as soon as possible.
Merkez Mh. Çukurçeşme Cad. Serhat Sok. No:2 D:17, 34200 Gaziosmanpaşa/İstanbul
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Phone support in Turkish and English; written support via WhatsApp in other languages.