Cremation and ashes transport
Cremation in UAE and bringing ashes home
Hindu cremation facilities available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Not available for Muslim deceased under UAE law. This page sets out what UAE requires, and what to check before you decide.
Where
Hindu cremation facilities available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Not available for Muslim deceased under UAE law.
Important: read this before making any decisions
Do NOT cremate abroad if a UK coroner may need to hold an inquest. Cremation destroys evidence.
If there is any possibility a UK coroner may be involved, speak to us first. Do not instruct a funeral director to proceed with cremation until you have confirmed the position with the coroner's office.
Cremation in UAE
What applies in UAE
Burial is the norm for Muslims. Cremation is available for non-Muslims in designated facilities (Hindu cremation facilities exist in Dubai and Abu Dhabi). No cremation for Muslim deceased under UAE law.
Hindu cremation facilities available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Not available for Muslim deceased under UAE law.
Religious context: Islam (Sunni and Shia). UAE law is influenced by Sharia. Large expatriate population includes Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and others.
Local funeral timing: Islamic tradition: burial within 24 hours. For non-Muslims undergoing repatriation, the body enters the repatriation process promptly. UAE authorities are efficient with processing.
How the body is handled locally: Islamic ritual washing (ghusl) for Muslim deceased. Non-Muslim deceased handled according to family wishes. Embalming arranged for repatriation.
Islamic burial rites for Muslim deceased: ghusl, kafan (shroud), burial facing Mecca; Non-Muslim funerals and repatriations handled by specialist funeral directors; Three-day mourning period (azza/condolence) for Muslim families; Hindu cremation available for Indian and other Hindu communities; UAE authorities are experienced with multi-faith, multi-national death cases
Weighing cremation abroad against bringing your loved one home intact? How families decide between the two.
Documentation language
Arabic (official). English is widely used as the de facto business and daily language.
Documents you will need
Documentation for bringing ashes from UAE to the UK
You will need these documents in order when carrying ashes through airport security and UK customs.
Death certificate (with MOFA attestation)
Cremation certificate
Police clearance
Transport documentation
Airline guidance
Carrying ashes on the flight home
Generally yes, with documentation. Emirates and Etihad accommodate ashes transport.
What UAE requires: Death certificate (with MOFA attestation); Cremation certificate; Police clearance; Transport documentation
What affects the cost from UAE
We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case. For UAE the things that move it are:
- Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium. Hindu cremation facilities available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Not available for Muslim deceased under UAE law.
- Whether an investigation must conclude before release
- Translation, since documentation is in Arabic (official). English is widely used as the de facto business and daily language.
- Whether you carry the ashes yourself or need them shipped
Contact us with the details and we will give you a figure for your case. Source: UAE regulations; airline policies
Considering full repatriation instead?
Some families decide they want their loved one brought home intact. The full UAE guide sets out that process.
Full repatriation guide for UAETalk to us about cremation in UAE
We can advise on whether cremation abroad is the right choice for your family. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.
Thank you. We have received your enquiry and will be in touch as soon as possible, usually within a few hours.