Deaths during Hajj and Umrah are not uncommon. The Hajj pilgrimage gathers more than two million worshippers in intense heat; the risk of death from cardiac events, heat-related illness, and the physical demands of the rites is real. British pilgrims who die in Saudi Arabia can be repatriated to the UK, but the process involves specific Saudi documentation and is more demanding during the Hajj season when government offices are handling many cases at once.
The first decision: local burial or repatriation
Families face this question early. Being buried near the Haramayn (the Grand Mosque in Mecca or the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina) carries great religious significance in Islamic tradition, and many families choose local burial for this reason. Saudi authorities make the local burial process straightforward once the body is released.
If the family wants repatriation to the UK, they must state this clearly and promptly. Once local burial proceeds, there is no reversal. There is no Saudi regulation requiring local burial for foreign nationals. The decision belongs to the family.
Who to contact first
If the deceased held travel insurance, the insurer’s 24-hour emergency line is the first call. Hajj packages sold through UK tour operators are typically accompanied by group travel insurance, and families should locate the policy documents before travelling. Arrangements made locally without insurer notification may not be reimbursed.
The British Consulate General in Jeddah covers the Western Region of Saudi Arabia, including Mecca and Medina. Their contact number is +966 12 622 5550. Because non-Muslims cannot enter Mecca, consular officers cannot attend the scene directly. They can issue a Consular Death Registration Certificate, provide a list of local funeral directors with experience of repatriation, and advise on local procedures.
The FCDO publishes specific Hajj travel guidance each year in the months before the season, available on gov.uk. The 2026 guidance includes emergency contacts, advice on carrying insurance details during the pilgrimage, and information for families in the UK whose relatives are on Hajj.
The Saudi documentation process
Saudi authorities issue a death notice when a pilgrim dies. The body is held at a government mortuary or hospital until the documentation is assembled. The local funeral director handles this process:
The death certificate (Shahaadat al-Wafah) is issued by the relevant Saudi government authority. It must be authenticated by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs before it has international legal validity. An embalming certificate is required for international air transport. A body export permit from the General Directorate of Passports authorises the body to leave the country. All documents are in Arabic and require certified English translation before they are accepted by UK authorities.
Islamic preparation of the body
Where repatriation is chosen, the body can be prepared according to Islamic rites before departure. Ghusl (ritual washing) and kafan (shrouding) can be carried out in Saudi Arabia before the zinc-lined coffin is sealed for air transport. For the full process regarding Islamic requirements during repatriation, see our article on Muslim repatriation requirements and ghusl.
Timeline during Hajj season
Repatriation from Saudi Arabia takes 5 to 10 working days in a straightforward case outside the Hajj period. During Hajj itself, when hundreds of deaths occur in a short window, government offices handling authentication and export permits are under significant volume. Families should expect 2 to 4 weeks during the peak Hajj days and the period immediately following. Air transport typically departs from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah or from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
For full detail on the Saudi repatriation process and documents, see our repatriation from Saudi Arabia guide and our Saudi Arabia country hub.
Repatriate Service operates 24 hours a day. If a loved one has died during Hajj or Umrah, call +44 7703 577246 or use the enquiry form below.