DEATH AND BEREAVEMENT
DEATH AND BEREAVEMENT
At some time a number of us will have to deal with a death in Cyprus, possibly that of our spouse or close friend, relative or neighbour. The guide below is not exhaustive but endeavours to give a useful checklist for a distressing time.
Contact your doctor. If the deceased had been having treatment either as an in-patient or was receiving medical care at the time of death, then the doctor will issue a Cause of Death Certificate. As in the UK you should obtain as many originals of this as you think you will need: 10 or 12 will probably be about right.
In the case of sudden, violent, or accidental death, the C.I.D. department of the local police station must be informed. This is a legal requirement and the police have the right to detain the passport of the deceased. The local hospital should also be telephoned (for Pissouri this is the Limassol General Hospital on 25 801100).
Should death occur at home or in a Clinic or Private Hospital, ensure that arrangements are made to remove the deceased to a mortuary at either Limassol or at Paphos General Hospital. This is best done by a Funeral Services’ Agency. Ask your Doctor for a recommendation as to which undertaker to use or make your own choice from other recommendations. Possible Funeral Services are:
Archangel Funeral Services (Limassol): 25 748181/994541750
Galini Funeral Services (Paphos): 26 950530 or 99463918 (24 hrs)
Paradise Social Services Co (Paphos): 26950887 or 99632481 (24 hrs)
The following documents are required to register the death and to complete all formalities:
• Passport.
• Alien Registration Certificate (brown paper booklet).
• ID card (if available).
• Residence Permit.
• Cause of Death Certificate (original).
• If CID is involved, then a Permit to Bury certificate is required from the police, plus a Coroner’s Report if an autopsy was required.
Death Certificates are issued by the Registrar, and a sufficient number should be requested at the time of registering the death. Certificates will be required for the following purposes: bank accounts, pensions, insurance policies, etc. One certificate will be required by the Immigration Dept. Each certificate costs 50c and additional copies can be produced on production of the original receipt.
Arrangements: The Funeral Ministry of the Anglican Church can assist in the complete arrangement of a local funeral in Cyprus, and can also provide assistance for the repatriation of the deceased to an overseas country. Where the funeral takes place is up to you. At the time of writing, cremation is not an option in Cyprus although this may change. If the deceased is to be sent to the UK, the undertaker can arrange this. At present the costs are approximately €8500.
Pissouri Burial
Pissouri Council has acquired land for a new cemetery and it is being prepared for use. It will be divided into three areas – one for Greek Orthodox funerals and the other for all others. The cost of a plot is likely to be about €850. There is a separate local rate for the cemetery.
British Cemetery, Erimi
The cost of a permanent plot at the British Cemetery is €800. If a double plot is required, this can be requested at the time of purchase of the original plot. The grave will be dug to an appropriate depth enabling it to accommodate two coffins. This will cost an additional €50, making the total cost €850.
Paphos Metropolitan Cemetery
A temporary plot costs €615 which is made up of €410 for the licence to bury and €205 for the opening and closing of the grave, marker cross, etc. A temporary plot is available for a period of 10 years after which the grave may be re-used. To avoid this, the plot can be made permanent by payment of an additional €850, after which a proper headstone can be installed.
Help and Support
The organisation of a funeral is a distressing time, especially if a person is left without their husband or wife. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends, neighbours, doctors; and in Pissouri don’t hesitate to contact us for additional advice and assistance, as required. We are all here to help.
Visitors often ask whether the funeral protocol is the same here as in UK and what to wear. Do exactly as you would in UK according to how well you know the deceased, bearing mind he/she may not have wanted a dreary black occasion, but more a celebration of life.
CREMATORIA
Why Are We Waiting?
For many years now we have been lobbying for the opening of a crematorium. Everything is in place, all it needs is for the Government to grant a licence.
It is just plain crazy that with the limited land available in Cyprus we are the only country in Europe lacking a crematorium. The high cost of flying the bodies of people who want to be cremated, not to mention the environmental cost, is unacceptable.
The Church says it has no objections. It seems legal legislation writers have better things to do.
Fortunately for those of us here in Pissouri, our forward-looking Council have provided the perfect place for a new cemetery, where as rate payers we have already paid for our plots.
See Contact 65.