Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Australia to the United Arab Emirates
For families bringing someone home to the United Arab Emirates. Send the details any time and we will take it from there.
Key facts
Repatriation from Australia to the United Arab Emirates: what to expect
The UAE is a significant bilateral partner for Australia, with Dubai serving as a major transit hub for Australian travellers and a destination for Australian expats in finance, mining, and property. The Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi is fully operational. When an Australian national dies in the UAE and their family wishes to repatriate remains to Australia, the death is registered with the relevant emirate health authority. The UAE is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention; Australian documents must be attested by the UAE Embassy in Canberra and then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Key document: death certificate (in English)
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Death must be registered with the state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) registry promptly.
- the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Canberra can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in Australia
Call 000 for emergency services. Death is certified by a registered medical practitioner. The death is registered with the state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) registry. The coroner takes jurisdiction for sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths. Australia is a Hague Apostille Convention member. The registration process is straightforward; the coroner's release is the main cause of delay in complex cases.
Step by step
Timeline: Australia to the United Arab Emirates
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 000 (police, fire, ambulance) for local emergency services, and contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
Family or travel insurer
Death registered. Death certificate obtained.
Death must be registered with the state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) registry. Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Canberra notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy provides a list of local funeral directors.
Family or repatriation specialist
Embalming and preparation.
After body released by authorities.
Licensed local funeral director
All export documentation and permits obtained.
Allow 5-10 days. Cannot begin until death certificate issued.
Local funeral director and authorities
Air cargo to the United Arab Emirates
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
the United Arab Emirates funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
In the United Arab Emirates
When the body arrives in the United Arab Emirates
The UAE funeral director takes custody at Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) cargo terminal, depending on the emirate of final destination. Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) is also used for cargo. Death registration in the UAE is handled by the relevant emirate health authority: the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) for Dubai, the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) for Abu Dhabi, and equivalent authorities in other emirates. The death certificate is issued by the relevant emirate health authority. Police are involved in all deaths in the UAE as part of the death registration process. The UAE is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. All foreign documents for use in the UAE must be attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin and then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Abu Dhabi.
Consular support
The UAE Embassy or Consulate in Canberra can advise on documentation requirements for repatriation to the UAE. The UAE is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; foreign documents must be attested by the UAE Embassy in Canberra and then by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi. The Embassy cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the relevant emirate health authority for civil registration queries.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Australia to the United Arab Emirates
In a straightforward case, repatriation from Australia to the United Arab Emirates takes 3-5 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 14-21 days. Complex cases can take 6-12 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with the state or territory Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) registry promptly. Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may add time before the body can be released.
The core documents are: death certificate with certified translation where required, embalming certificate, export permit, freedom from infection certificate, and passport of the deceased. Your repatriation coordinator handles obtaining these on your behalf.
The the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Canberra can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Canberra as soon as possible after the death.
Sudden, violent, or unexplained deaths (coroner takes jurisdiction) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The UAE funeral director takes custody at Dubai (DXB) or Abu Dhabi (AUH) cargo terminal. Death registration is handled by the relevant emirate health authority (DHA for Dubai, HAAD for Abu Dhabi). The UAE is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; all foreign documents must be attested by the UAE Embassy in the origin country and then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi. Police are involved in all UAE deaths. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport.
Cremation in Australia is widely available in all states and territories. You will need the local death certificate, cremation certificate, and relevant export documentation. Your repatriation specialist can advise on the current position.
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Australia, please do not face this alone. Send us the details and we will explain what happens next and prepare a quote for bringing them home to the United Arab Emirates.
Reviewed by the Repatriate Service editorial team. Information sourced from official government and embassy guidance and professional repatriation experience. Facts last checked September 2026; page updated .
Sources: Official guidance on a death in Australia (gov.uk) · Australia repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions