A typical funeral in Greece costs on average about 2,500 €, while a budget burial starts at about 1,200 € with all the basics. In Athens there are funeral director packages from 850 €, but without cemetery and church fees. The e-ΕΦΚΑ (national social security fund) pays a funeral-expenses allowance, e.g. 883.92 € for insured people and pensioners of the former ΙΚΑ (Social Insurance Institute).
01Detailed price table
| Job / item | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral director (basic package)Athens packages from 850 € without third-party fees | 500 € | 850 € |
| PallbearersBudget burial | 150 € | 150 € |
| Church and priest | 120 € | 120 € |
| “Psychi” (3 days) | 90 € | 90 € |
| Three-year graveFrom about 200 €, varies by municipality | 200 € | 200 € |
| Budget burial in totalWith VAT | 1,210 € | 1,210 € |
| Average funeral | 2,500 € | 2,500 € |
| Cremation (package)Cremation fee from ~600 € | 800 € | 800 € |
| Urn | 12 € | 588 € |
| e-ΕΦΚΑ funeral allowance (ΙΚΑ-ΕΤΑΜ)Reimbursed amount, differs by fund | 883.92 € | 883.92 € |
Burial with the basics (funeral director, church, grave). Cremation starts at about 800 € in Athens packages.
02What affects the price
Burial or cremation
medium
Cremation does not need a grave, but it does need a coffin, transport to the crematorium and an urn.
Coffin and decoration
high
The coffin is compulsory and is one of the biggest costs. Wreaths and decoration push the amount up.
Municipality/cemetery
high
Burial, grave and exhumation fees are set by each municipality.
Transport of the body
medium
Transport to another city or an island costs extra.
Insurance fund
medium
The e-ΕΦΚΑ allowance differs a lot by former fund: from 883.92 € (ΙΚΑ) up to many times that in some sectors.
03Regional differences
Cemetery fees differ from municipality to municipality. In Athens the municipal cemeteries usually have higher fees than the provinces. The only crematorium has operated in Ritsona, Evia, since 2019, so for cremation from other areas a transport cost is added.
04Tips before you pay
- Ask the funeral director for a written, itemised cost including third-party expenses (municipality, church).
- Keep the funeral director’s invoice: it is needed for the funeral-expenses application to the e-ΕΦΚΑ.
- The application for funeral expenses is made electronically by the person who arranged the funeral.
- The registry death certificate is issued free of charge. You need it for all the next steps.
- If there is life insurance or a funeral plan, check what it covers before committing to a package.
The step-by-step procedure (documents, where it is done) is on grafeiokratia.gr (in Greek).
See the procedure05Frequently asked questions
How much does a funeral cost in Greece?
On average about 2,500 €. A budget burial starts at about 1,200 €.
How much does cremation cost?
Packages in Athens from about 800 €. The cremation fee starts at about 600 € and the urn costs 12–588 €.
How much does the ΕΦΚΑ pay for funeral expenses?
For directly insured people and ΙΚΑ-ΕΤΑΜ pensioners 883.92 € according to the e-ΕΦΚΑ table. Other sectors have different amounts. One private source mentions 863.20 €, but the amount in the official table applies.
What does an 850 € package include?
Basic funeral director services. It usually does not include cemetery/municipality fees, the church and other third-party expenses.
How much does the grave cost?
A three-year burial starts at about 200 €, followed by exhumation or renewal with new fees, depending on the municipality.
Who applies for the funeral expenses?
Whoever arranged and paid for the funeral, with the funeral director’s receipt, through the e-ΕΦΚΑ online service.
06Sources
Prices are indicative, do not constitute an offer and may vary by area and professional. Last checked: October 2026.