U.S. Embassy Athens Death Reporting: How to Get the eCRODA
When a U.S. citizen dies in Greece, the American Citizen Services (ACS) unit at the U.S. Embassy in Athens is your primary federal contact point. But families often arrive at the embassy expecting far more help than it's authorized to provide — and that mismatch costs critical time during the first 72 hours.
What the Embassy Will Do
The embassy's core function after a citizen's death is issuing the electronic Consular Report of Death Abroad (eCRODA), filed on Form DS-2060. As of April 12, 2024, the Athens mission issues this document exclusively in electronic format, with a secure digital signature from the presiding consular officer and the official digital seal of the U.S. Mission.
The eCRODA is the U.S. legal equivalent of a domestic death certificate. You'll need it to:
- Open or close probate in a U.S. court
- File life insurance claims
- Terminate federal benefits (Social Security, VA, OPM)
- Clear real estate titles
- Close bank accounts held solely by the deceased
Beyond the eCRODA, consular officers provide a vetted list of Greek funeral directors with international shipping experience and offer administrative guidance on the repatriation process. They also issue the Consular Mortuary Certificate that must accompany remains shipped to the United States.
What the Embassy Won't Do
The embassy does not fund repatriation or burial. It does not take custody of the remains. It does not act as a legal representative, recommend specific vendors, or advance money for funeral costs. It won't negotiate with Greek hospitals or funeral homes on your behalf.
These limitations catch families off guard, especially when they're managing everything from thousands of miles away. The embassy is an administrative office, not a crisis management service.
Documents Required for the eCRODA
To obtain the eCRODA, the next of kin or their legally authorized representative must provide:
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Decedent's passport | Original U.S. passport or naturalization certificate |
| Greek death certificate | Original Lixiarchiki Praxi Thanatou with blue stamp and stated cause of death |
| Social Security number | 9-digit federal tax/benefit ID |
| Residential history | Last U.S. address and permanent address in Greece (if applicable) |
| Disposition details | Name and location of the receiving U.S. funeral home, or Greek burial/cremation site |
The death certificate must explicitly state the cause of death. Greek registrars sometimes omit this unless specifically asked — and the embassy will reject a certificate without it.
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Proving Next-of-Kin Authority
Consular officers will only release the eCRODA and assist with remains to individuals who can prove next-of-kin authority. Bring original civil documents: a marriage certificate for a surviving spouse, or birth certificates for adult children.
If those originals aren't available, you'll need to execute an Affidavit for the Surviving Spouse or Next of Kin. This can be signed and sworn before a consular officer at the embassy (which requires an online booking and a $50 fee) or before a notary public in the United States.
The Thessaloniki Consulate
The U.S. Consulate General in Thessaloniki also provides American Citizen Services and can initiate the eCRODA process for deaths in northern Greece. For deaths on the Greek islands, the Athens embassy handles the filing regardless of which island the death occurred on.
Emergency After-Hours Contact
If the death occurs outside business hours, contact the embassy's emergency after-hours line at +30 210-721-2951. During business hours, the ACS unit can be reached through the digital navigator on the embassy website or by phone at the same number.
Timeline
The eCRODA timing depends on the completeness of the document packet and on when the Greek certificate is available. Incomplete submissions — missing cause of death on the Greek certificate, no proof of next-of-kin authority, or an unapostilled certificate — will delay the process. An autopsy or island transfer can also delay issuance of the Greek certificate.
The American Dies in Greece — Family Emergency Guide includes the full document checklist for the embassy submission, along with a 72-hour action timeline and detailed guidance on coordinating the eCRODA with Greek funeral directors and insurance claims.
Get Your Free American Dies in Greece — Family Emergency Guide — Emergency Checklist
Download the American Dies in Greece — Family Emergency Guide — Emergency Checklist — a printable guide with checklists, scripts, and action plans you can start using today.