Guide to Repatriating a Loved One from Dubai After a Hospital Death
Losing a loved one is never easy, and when that loss happens abroad, it brings a wave of additional challenges — emotionally, legally, and logistically. If someone passes away in Dubai and needs to be returned to their home country, the repatriation process involves multiple steps and authorities.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about repatriating a deceased individual from Dubai after a hospital death. Whether you’re a family member, a close friend, or representing the person’s embassy, this comprehensive breakdown will help you understand the process, the documents needed, and what to expect at each stage.
What is Repatriation and Why Does it Matter?
Repatriation is the official process of transporting a deceased person’s body from one country to another, usually their country of origin. In Dubai, this process is highly regulated and involves coordination with the Dubai Police, the Dubai Health Authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the airport, and the respective embassy or consulate.
It ensures the proper handling of the deceased, respect for international protocols, and adherence to legal health and safety standards.
Step 1: Start with the Death Notification and Police Report
If someone passes away in a hospital in Dubai, the hospital will first issue a formal document called a death notification. This document serves as preliminary confirmation of the individual’s passing and outlines the time and cause of death.
The next step is to take this notification to the nearest Dubai police station. There, the family or representative must file a formal statement. After completing their initial procedures, the police will issue a document known as the “initial letter.” This letter allows the Dubai Health Authority to proceed with issuing official death certificates.
This first step is foundational. Without this police clearance, no further documents, such as death certificates or embassy permissions, can be processed.
Step 2: Obtain Official Death Certificates from the Dubai Health Authority
Using the police-issued initial letter, the next stage is to apply for the death certificates from the Dubai Health Authority. Two versions are issued:
One in Arabic, which is used for local legal purposes.
One in English, which is necessary for all international repatriation and embassy use.
To make the English death certificate valid for use in the deceased’s home country, it must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. This attestation is a formal process that verifies the document's authenticity so it can be legally accepted overseas.
It’s often helpful to request several certified copies of both versions. Different authorities — including embassies, airlines, and customs - may request originals during the process.
Step 3: Notify the Embassy and Obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC)
Once the death certificates are secured and attested, the next step is to reach out to the deceased person’s embassy or consulate in the UAE. The embassy will guide you through its internal procedures, which typically include:
Canceling the passport of the deceased.
Issuing a No Objection Certificate (NOC), which gives formal permission for the remains to be repatriated.
Coordinating with the deceased’s home authorities, if necessary.
Before the NOC can be issued, the UAE visa of the deceased must be officially cancelled. This is usually done by the sponsor — often the deceased’s employer or family member in Dubai. Without visa cancellation and an embassy-issued NOC, no airline or cargo service will accept the body for transport.
The NOC is critical and serves as formal diplomatic approval to proceed with repatriation.
Step 4: Collect Final Letters from Dubai Police
With the embassy paperwork complete and the NOC in hand, it’s time to return to Dubai Police. They will now issue three critical letters, each serving a specific purpose in the repatriation process:
A body release letter, which allows the hospital to release the body.
A letter to the embalming center, granting authorization to begin the embalming procedure.
A letter addressed to the airport, allowing customs clearance and cargo processing for international flight.
These documents are necessary for all logistical steps that follow. They form the official authorization for all entities involved — from the mortuary to the airport.
Step 5: Embalming and Coffin Preparation
Once the police letters are issued, the body is taken to a government-approved embalming center. This facility, which works under the Dubai Health Authority, will carry out the embalming process, preserving the body for safe international transport.
After embalming, the body is placed in a repatriation coffin. This coffin is hermetically sealed and complies with international health and safety regulations. The embalming and sealing process is usually completed the day before the scheduled flight.
This step is mandatory for all international repatriations departing from the UAE. It ensures the body remains preserved during the journey and is a legal requirement for cross-border transport.
Step 6: Final Airport Clearance and Cargo Transport
Once the embalming is completed, the body is moved to the airport for final preparations. This includes several important steps:
An airway bill is issued by the cargo department of the airline, officially documenting the shipment.
The coffin goes through customs inspection, security clearance, and CID (Criminal Investigation Department) approval.
The remains are prepared for cargo loading onto the chosen flight.
Flight booking for the body must be made in advance, and not all flights accept human remains, so coordination with the airline is essential. Some families also choose to fly on the same plane, but personal tickets must be handled separately.
Every formality must be completed before the coffin is loaded onto the aircraft.
Complete Checklist of Required Documents
For convenience, here’s a summary of all documents typically required:
Death Notification from the hospital
Initial letter from Dubai Police
Arabic and English Death Certificates
Attestation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Passport and visa cancellation documents
No Objection Certificate from the embassy
Police letters for hospital, embalming, and airport
Embalming certificate
Repatriation coffin certificate
Airway bill from airline cargo section
Customs and CID clearance
Having all of these in order will ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
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The entire repatriation process in Dubai usually takes between 3 to 5 working days. However, this can vary depending on embassy working hours, documentation issues, or flight schedules.
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Yes. Many families choose to travel on the same flight. However, this must be arranged separately through commercial passenger booking, and not through the cargo department.
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This depends on individual circumstances. In some cases, the deceased’s employer or insurance policy may cover the cost. In others, the family bears the expenses.
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Yes. It is a legal requirement in the UAE for any international repatriation of human remains.
