What to do if someone dies in Oman

Oman has a well-established British expat community and receives growing numbers of UK tourists. The Royal Oman Police and Ministry of Health are the two key authorities for repatriation. The process is structured, and experienced specialists manage this route regularly.

Step 1: Notify the British Embassy Muscat

The British Embassy in Muscat must be notified on the day of death. Address: PO Box 185, Mina Al Fahal, Muscat 116. Phone: +968 2460 9000. FCDO 24-hour emergency line: +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

The Embassy registers the death with UK authorities and advises on current Omani procedures. Contact them the same day: do not wait until business hours.

Step 2: Death registration: Civil Status Authority

Deaths are registered with the Civil Status Authority (Hayat al-Ahwal al-Madaniya). The death certificate is issued in Arabic. For hospital deaths in Muscat, registration is typically handled by the hospital or a local agent. For deaths outside Muscat (Salalah, Nizwa, Sohar, Musandam), registration involves the local Civil Status office in that governorate.

For unnatural or sudden deaths, the Royal Oman Police take jurisdiction immediately.

Step 3: Royal Oman Police investigation

The Royal Oman Police investigate all violent, sudden, or suspicious deaths. A forensic post-mortem may be ordered. The body cannot be moved until the Police have completed their investigation and formally released it. For clear-cut cases in Muscat, this typically takes 7 to 10 days. For deaths in remote areas (Wahiba Sands, Hajar Mountains, Musandam fjords), allow longer for the investigation team to reach the location.

Step 4: Transfer to Muscat

For deaths outside Muscat, the body is transferred to the capital for embalming and cargo processing. Salalah and Sohar have road access. Musandam (Khasab) may require a short flight or boat crossing. Confirm the transfer route with your specialist and the Embassy.

Step 5: Embalming and Ministry of Health NOC

Embalming is required for international repatriation. Licensed mortuaries in Muscat carry out the procedure. Once embalmed, the Ministry of Health issues the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for export. Required documents: Arabic death certificate, Police release, embalming certificate, freedom from contagious disease clearance. Allow 3 to 7 days for the NOC.

Step 6: Certified translations

All Omani documentation is in Arabic. Certified English translations are required before the documents can be used in a UK context. Your specialist arranges this alongside the cargo booking.

Step 7: Routing to the UK

Muscat International Airport (MCT) has good international freight capacity. No direct UK flights operate from Oman. Standard cargo routing is via Dubai (Emirates) or Doha (Qatar Airways) to London Heathrow. Both hubs have established human remains handling procedures. Source: FCDO guidance on death in Oman; Omani Civil Status Law; Royal Oman Police procedures; Ministry of Health regulations (2023).