What to Do When an Indian National Dies in the UAE: 5-Step Official Checklist

1. 1

   Obtain the UAE Hospital Medical Notification of Death

   When a death occurs in a hospital anywhere in the UAE, the attending physician records the cause of death electronically and issues the official Medical Notification of Death, after which the deceased is transferred to a designated government mortuary [1][2].

   • Identity documents to provide: The family or local representative must present the deceased's original Indian passport, UAE residence visa details, and Emirates ID to the hospital administration so the medical notification matches official civil and immigration records [1][2].
   • Emirate health systems and forensic clearance: In Dubai, hospital notifications connect with the Dubai Health Authority (toll-free 800 342 or +971 4 219 8888) [2]; in Abu Dhabi, hospitals record the notification on the Department of Health (DOH) system (linked to the Sanadkom bereavement service on the TAMM portal) [1]; and in the Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah), notifications run through the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) / Emirates Health Services (EHS) [1]. If the death was natural, the notification is released once hospital formalities are cleared. If the death was sudden, accidental, work-related, or under investigation, the case is referred to the emirate police and forensic medicine department for clearance before the body can be released [1][2].
2. 2

   Coordinate with the UAE Employer/Sponsor, Community Repatriation Volunteers, or ICWF Support

   Before paying a commercial repatriation agency, confirm who is legally responsible and authorized to handle the local filings in the UAE:

   • Employer/sponsor statutory obligation: Under Article 15 of UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (UAE Labour Law), regulated across the UAE by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (call center 600 590000 inside the UAE, +971 6 803 4000 from abroad, labour advisory line 800 84, email [email protected]), the UAE employer is legally required to bear the full costs of preparing and repatriating the deceased worker's mortal remains to their home country when requested by the family [3]. In practice, the employer's Public Relations Officer (PRO) normally coordinates the local clearances.
   • Authorizing a local representative: If no immediate family member is present in the UAE, the next of kin in India must sign a written authorization letter (Power of Attorney / No Objection letter) naming a representative in the UAE - such as a relative, colleague, employer representative, or accredited community social worker - to collect certificates, complete police and consular steps, and dispatch or accompany the coffin [4][5].
   • ICWF assistance and avoiding unaccredited middlemen: If the employer is absent or defaulting, or if the family faces financial distress, contact the Indian mission immediately via the 24x7 Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra (PBSK) toll-free helpline (800 46342, WhatsApp +971 54 3090571), the Consulate General of India in Dubai 24x7 death helpline (+971 50 7347676), or the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi death emergency number (+971 56 4038863) [4][5]. Through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF), the Indian missions provide means-tested financial assistance (covering embalming, coffin box, local ambulance, and air cargo/airfare to India) and connect families with empanelled community volunteers who handle all local UAE formalities at zero service charge [4][5]. Indian missions explicitly warn families to avoid unauthorized private middlemen charging excessive fees [4][5].
3. 3

   Secure UAE Police Clearance (NOC), the Official Health Authority Death Certificate, and Visa Cancellation

   With the hospital's Medical Notification of Death and the next-of-kin/employer authorization letter, the appointed representative completes the local emirate clearances [1][2]:

   • Police clearance and NOCs: The representative submits the hospital notification, original Indian passport, Emirates ID, and authorization letters to the competent emirate police headquarters - for example, Dubai Police in Dubai (emergency 999, non-emergency inquiries 901, email [email protected]) or Abu Dhabi Police / the relevant Northern Emirate police directorate [1][6]. The police verify the circumstances of death and issue the official Police Clearance / No Objection Certificates (NOCs) authorizing release of the body from the mortuary, embalming, and export of the mortal remains outside the UAE (or local burial/cremation) [1][6].
   • Official UAE Death Certificate: Using the hospital notification and police NOC, the representative obtains the official UAE Death Certificate from the competent health authority - via the Dubai Health Authority in Dubai [2], the DOH / Sanadkom service in Abu Dhabi [1], or MOHAP / EHS in the Northern Emirates [1]. Request the certificate in both Arabic and English (or with an official English translation) along with several certified copies [1][4].
   • UAE residency visa cancellation: The employer or representative submits the death certificate and passport through the federal immigration authority (ICP, or GDRFA in Dubai) to cancel the deceased's UAE residence visa and work permit, which is required before airport cargo clearance [1].
4. 4

   Register the Death, Cancel the Indian Passport, and Obtain the Consular NOC

   Consular jurisdiction in the UAE depends on the emirate of death and residence [4][5]:

   • Which Indian mission to contact: For deaths in Dubai and the five Northern Emirates (Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah), contact the Consulate General of India in Dubai (24x7 death registration mobile/WhatsApp +971 50 7347676, PBSK toll-free 800 46342, email [email protected]) [4]. For deaths in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (including Al Ain and Al Dhafra), contact the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi (24x7 death case mobile/WhatsApp +971 56 4038863, PBSK toll-free 800 46342, email [email protected]) [5].
   • Documents required by the Indian mission: The authorized representative presents the original UAE Death Certificate and hospital medical notification (with copies), the deceased's original Indian passport, the UAE Police NOC, the employer's letter on company letterhead detailing service status and a "dues and drawn" statement, the next-of-kin authorization letter, flight cargo booking details, and the passport/ID copies of the representative and any attendant accompanying the remains [4][5].
   • Certificates issued: The mission registers the death of the Indian citizen abroad, issues an Indian Consular Death Certificate, cancels the deceased's Indian passport (returning it stamped as cancelled for travel with the coffin), and issues the Consular No Objection Certificate (NOC) required by UAE airport authorities, airlines, and Indian health and customs officials [4][5]. Both missions process death cases on priority, including outside office hours and on public holidays [4][5].
5. 5

   Complete Mortuary Embalming, Air Cargo and Indian eCARe Clearance (or Local Rites), and MOHRE Gratuity Settlement

   Once the police, health, and consular certificates are issued, the representative completes the transport (or local funeral) and financial settlement steps:

   • Mortuary embalming and UAE air cargo (or local rites): For repatriation to India, mandatory embalming and hermetically sealed zinc-lined coffin preparation (boxing) are completed at the authorized government mortuary - for example, the Muhaisnah medical fitness and mortuary facility coordinated with Dubai Municipality (24/7 call center 800 900 or +971 4 2215555, email [email protected]) in Dubai, or the municipal central mortuary in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah [1][7]. The mortuary issues the official Embalming Certificate, Coffin Sealing Certificate, and Certificate of Non-Infectious Disease [1][8]. The representative books the sealed coffin as air cargo (such as through DNATA Cargo at Dubai International Airport or Etihad Cargo at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi) [1][4]. (If the family instead chooses local cremation or burial in the UAE, the police NOC, death certificate, and Indian mission NOC are presented to the municipal cemetery or cremation facility, such as the Jebel Ali cremation facility in Dubai or the Abu Dhabi non-Muslim cemetery [1][4].)
   • Indian Airport Health Organisation (APHO) clearance via eCARe: Under the rules of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India, public health clearance for bringing mortal remains into India is processed through the online eCARe portal (preferably submitted 48 hours before arrival, with emergency expedition available) by uploading four mandatory documents: the official Death Certificate showing cause of death, the Embalming Certificate, the Indian Embassy/Consulate NOC, and the cancelled Indian passport [8]. At the receiving international airport in India, the designated family member presents valid ID to the APHO and cargo terminal to receive the coffin and register the burial or cremation locally [8].
   • UAE end-of-service gratuity and bank accounts: Under Article 15 of the UAE Labour Law, the employer must disburse all unpaid wages, accrued leave, and the full end-of-service gratuity to the worker's designated family beneficiary or legal heirs within 10 days of the death [3]. Request a formal "dues and drawn" statement from the employer [5]. If the employer delays or fails to pay, file a labour claim with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (600 590000 or 800 84) or seek assistance from the Indian mission's labour/welfare wing [3][4][5]. Note that UAE bank accounts held in the deceased's name are frozen upon notification of death and require a legal heirship/succession certificate attested by the Indian mission and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs for release through the local emirate court [1].

Official Authorities & Verified Contacts

Official Sources Checked by Clarvia

1. [1]
   Handling the decease of a relative in the UAE — The Official Portal of the UAE Government (u.ae)
2. [2]
   Dubai Health Authority - Services and Death Certificate Procedures — Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
3. [3]
   UAE Labour Law and Worker Entitlements — Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
4. [4]
   Death Registration, Repatriation of Mortal Remains and ICWF Assistance — Consulate General of India, Dubai
5. [5]
   Registration of Death and Repatriation of Mortal Remains — Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi
6. [6]
   Dubai Police Services and Clearance Certificates — Dubai Police
7. [7]
   Dubai Municipality Public Health and Mortuary Services — Dubai Municipality
8. [8]
   eCARe Portal - Public Health Clearance for Human Remains (APHO) — Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India