Losing your loved ones is always painful. The feelings become worse when someone dies away from home. It requires a long process of registration, paperwork, and difficult tasks. Unlike locals, foreigners are often unfamiliar with “what to do when someone dies in Dubai.” As a result, when your friends or relatives need relevant information, you may not know where to start. So, this blog will shed light on procedures after a death in Dubai and the essential steps to follow.
What to do when someone dies in Dubai? Core steps to follow in every situation
Different procedures are involved in releasing the body for the final rituals. Here is the step-by-step guide:
Reporting to police
First, if death occurs at home or in a public place, call 999 to report it to the local police station. In such a case, the police will issue a death notification after the initial investigation. Why is it essential? Because this notification is mandatory to apply for the death certificate. In case a death occurs in hospital, hospital authorities will issue this death notification.
Contacting the Embassy or Consulate
The next step is to contact the deceased’s embassy in Dubai. The consulate general or embassy communicates between the UAE local authorities and the family of the expatriate. The role played by the embassy or consulate general includes:
- Issuance of No-Objection-Certificate (NOC)
The embassy issues the deceased’s family a NOC. This NOC is essential to release the body from the Dubai Police or Hospital. Moreover, a NOC is also needed for a crematory ceremony or repatriation.
- Passport cancellation
The embassy cancels the deceased’s Dubai passport and registers the death. Moreover, consular issues a death or mortuary certificate to the family members.
- Liaising with Dubai Authorities
The embassy coordinates with the family and UAE authorities and provides support in repatriation services. Embassy personnel communicate with international cargo services, airline bookings, and clear customs requirements for sending the deceased’s body and luggage home.
Keep one thing clear in mind: embassies never pay for repatriation, embalming, or funeral ceremonies.
Essential Documentation and Deceased Registration
What happens when someone dies in UAE? It is a common question for those who face a loved one’s death procedure in Dubai. We have simplified the process. Scroll down to know the required documents for a cemetery in Dubai:
- Death Notification –Issued by the hospital or police, depending on where the death occurred
- Death certificate Dubai –an official death certificate stamped and attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs UAE
- Police Clearance –involves an autopsy report and an initial clearance letter from Dubai police
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) –issued by the deceased’s embassy or Consulate General, needed for the passport cancellation
- Deceased ID – Original ID card and Visa for death body’s identification
When the deceased’s family requests repatriation (sending the body back to the home country), some additional documents are also required:
- Embalming and Health Certificate –issued by Dubai Health Authorities (DHA), confirming that the deceased body is prepared according to verified health standards
- Coffin sealing –confirms that the gasket lid will not be reopened during flight
- Repatriation Transit –permit to send remains through the mentioned cargo
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- Airlines and Cargo documents –cargo details, copy of airline ticket, flight booking confirmation, document (ID, ticket, passport, etc.) copies of accompanying person
- Visa Cancellation Assurance –official proof of the visa cancellation
- Infection-free certificate –ensures that the body does not bear any infection. In case of an infectious body, contact 800 342 immediately.
How to get an Official Death Registration Certificate Dubai?
Death registration Dubai involves a simple process. As you get a death notification from the police or hospital authorities, you can apply for the death certificate online at Dubai Health Authorities (DHA) or the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP). Documents required for a death certificate include:
- Death notification
- The deceased’s passport
- The deceased’s Emirates ID
The next of kin can receive the death certificate within 24 -48 working hours. It is mandatory for expatriates to attest and stamp the death certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Deciding on Final Arrangements & Repatriation Choice
The family or the next of kin of the Deceased person Dubai decides on Repatriation or local Burial arrangements.
Local burial arrangements / Cremation
Whether you apply for burial arrangements or cremation, some essential approvals are required:
- Apply to the local municipal authorities or Islamic Affairs Department
- Obtain a burial permit and cemetery plot allocation
- For cremation, a permission letter from the embassy is required additionally
Muslim burial arrangement –typically the body is buried within 24 hours
Non-Muslim Burial Arrangement –buried in designated premises only
Cremation –burning of the body is allowed to limited faiths and religions only
Repatriation (Sending the body to the home country)
Repatriation requires authorised documents as mentioned earlier. It may take nearly 10 to 12 days to fly the body to the homeland. So, several licensed funeral service providers are available in Dubai. These service providers help with paperwork and smooth the repatriation process.
Conclusion
Muslim and non-Muslim expats can perform religious rituals and final rites peacefully in Dubai. Dubai Health Authorities provide smooth, seamless arrangements for burial ceremonies and repatriation. So, you need not worry about the final funeral ceremony. We hope this guide helps with “What to do when someone dies in Dubai”. It can lead you to trusted service providers to support you at every step of the cemetery, crematorium, or repatriation.
FAQs
What to do when someone dies in another country?
When someone dies in another country, firstly, contact the local police station. Secondly, after confirming the nationality of the person, report to the relevant embassy or consulate in that country. Police or embassy representatives can better guide about the rest of the procedure.
How to do condolence after death in Arabic?
The most common Arabic Phrase for condolence is “Inna lillahi Wa Inna Ilahi Rajiun”(Indeed, to Allah we belong and to Him we return). Some other phrases include:
- Al Baqa lillah (Everlastingness is for Allah only)
- Allah yarhamhu (May Allah have mercy on him)
- A’zama Allahu Ajrakum (May Allah magnify your patience)
How to get a death certificate in the UAE?
You can apply for a death certificate in the UAE through the Emirates Health Services (EHS) online portal. In other cases, contact local authorities for the best guidance.
How to get a death certificate in Dubai?
A death in Dubai requires multiple step-by-step procedures. Initially, inform the local police station and embassy. After fulfilling certain requirements, you can apply for the death certificate via the Dubai Health portal or the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP).