Cremation in Turkey: Why It's Illegal and What Your Options Are

If you're looking for cremation services in Turkey, the short answer is: they don't exist. Cremation is completely illegal under Turkish law, and there are no operational cremation facilities anywhere in the country. This catches many Western families off guard during an already devastating time.

Why Cremation Is Banned

Turkey's legal prohibition on cremation reflects the country's predominantly Muslim cultural and religious framework. Islamic tradition requires burial as quickly as possible — typically within 24 hours of death — and considers cremation impermissible. While Turkey is a secular republic, this religious norm is codified into law and applies to everyone, regardless of the deceased's nationality or religion.

Your Two Options

Option 1: Repatriation for Cremation Abroad

If cremation is important to you or was the wish of the deceased, the remains must be repatriated to a country where cremation is legal. This requires:

• A consular transfer permit from your embassy
• Arterial embalming by an authorized Turkish physician
• A hermetically sealed zinc-lined coffin for air transport
• Municipal clearance, customs inspection, and a laissez-passer certificate

The process takes 5-7 working days minimum and costs several thousand dollars. Once the remains arrive in your home country, cremation can proceed according to local law. If you plan to carry cremated ashes back through Turkey at any point, use a non-metallic container for airport security screening.

Option 2: Local Burial in Turkey

Non-Muslims have the legal right to be buried in designated sections of Turkish municipal cemeteries according to their own religious traditions. The Secular municipal cemetery authorities (Mezarliklar Mudurlugu) manage all physical burials.

For Muslim funerals, the Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) and the local religious office (Muftuluk) coordinate the religious rites. The body is washed, wrapped in a white shroud (kefen), and buried without a coffin in accordance with Islamic custom.

What About Green Burial or Alkaline Hydrolysis?

Neither alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) nor other alternative disposition methods are available in Turkey. The options are ground burial or repatriation — there is no middle ground.

Planning Ahead

If you're an expat living in Turkey, document your funeral wishes in writing and share them with your family and your attorney. If cremation is your preference, this means explicitly stating you want repatriation, and ideally making sure your travel or life insurance covers the cost.

The Someone Died in Turkey: English Speaker's Emergency Guide covers the complete repatriation process for families who need to transport remains abroad for cremation, including the exact documents required and estimated timelines.

See more Turkey guides →