Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from Russia 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.
Need help now?
Send us the detailsKey facts
Repatriation from Russia to the United Arab Emirates: what to expect
Russian nationals form a significant community in the UAE, concentrated in Dubai, working in business, real estate, finance, and professional services. Russian investment in UAE property expanded considerably from 2022 onward. The UAE Embassy in Moscow handles document attestation. Russian documentation in Cyrillic script requires certified Arabic or English translation for UAE authorities. Specialist support is recommended given the changed diplomatic context. (UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MOFAIC, 2025.)
- Key document: Svidetelstvo o smerti (Certificate of Death) from ZAGS (civil registry), in Russian, requiring certified English translation
- Cargo routes via third countries.
- Documentation takes 14-28 days in most cases
- All Russian documentation requires certified English translation
- United Arab Emirates Embassy in Moscow can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
In United Arab Emirates
When the body arrives in the United Arab Emirates
The UAE funeral home or government mortuary takes custody at Dubai International (DXB) or Abu Dhabi International (AUH) cargo terminal. UAE Ministry of Health clearance is required before burial or cremation. All foreign documentation must be attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin and authenticated by UAE authorities. (UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, MOFAIC, 2025.)
Consular support
UAE Embassy in Moscow handles attestation of repatriation documents. Contact the UAE Embassy in Russia for document authentication requirements. UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) can be reached via the UAE Embassy during business hours.
The process
What happens after a death in Russia
Call 112 for emergency services. Death in Russia is registered with ZAGS (Zapisi Aktov Grazhdanskogo Sostoyaniya), the civil registry office, which issues the Svidetelstvo o smerti (Certificate of Death) in Russian. Where a death is violent, suspicious, or unexplained, the Sledstvenny Komitet (Investigative Committee) takes jurisdiction and a post-mortem is required before the body is released.
Step by step
Timeline: Russia to the United Arab Emirates
Embassy or consulate notified
Day of death. Contact the embassy or consulate of the person's own country.
Family
Death registered with the local ZAGS office. Svidetelstvo o smerti obtained in Russian.
Days 1-7. Registration is generally required within 3 days under Russian law.
Local contacts and repatriation specialist
United Arab Emirates Embassy in Moscow notified
Simultaneous with Step 1. Embassy advises on what assistance is currently possible.
Family or repatriation specialist
Post-mortem completed if required by Sledstvenny Komitet. Body released.
Variable: add 1-4 weeks if investigation and post-mortem required.
Sledstvenny Komitet and medical authorities
Embalming and preparation. Certified English translations of all documents arranged.
After body is released. Allow 14-28 days for full document set including translations.
Local funeral director and repatriation specialist
Export permit obtained. Air cargo routing via third country (Turkey, UAE, or Georgia) arranged.
Once documentation is complete. Transit routing adds time.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Embassy or consulate notified
Once all documentation and transit arrangements are in place.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo teams
United Arab Emirates funeral director takes custody at the cargo terminal. The receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from Russia to the United Arab Emirates
UAE Embassy in Moscow handles attestation of repatriation documents. Contact the UAE Embassy in Russia for document authentication requirements. UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) can be reached via the UAE Embassy during business hours.
The current diplomatic and flight situation means timelines are longer and less predictable than before 2022. In the most favourable circumstances, 3-4 weeks is possible. Most cases take 4-8 weeks. Cases involving a post-mortem, diplomatic complications, or delays with transit routing can take 12 weeks or more.
The core documents are: the ZAGS Svidetelstvo o smerti (death certificate) with certified English translation, post-mortem report where required, embalming certificate, freedom from infection certificate, export permit, and any transit country documentation. All Russian documentation requires certified English translation.
Cremation is available in Russia. However, the same restrictions on flight routes, documentation, and consular access apply to repatriation of ashes as to full body repatriation. Ashes would still need to transit via a third country. Specialist coordination is essential.
The UAE funeral home takes custody at Dubai (DXB) or Abu Dhabi (AUH) cargo terminal. UAE Ministry of Health clearance is required. All documents must be attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin. Islamic remains require certification for Islamic burial; non-Islamic remains follow separate procedures.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
We are here to help. Send us the details, any time
If your loved one has died in Russia, 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 Russia (gov.uk) · Russia repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions