Funeral repatriation route guide
Repatriation from the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka
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Repatriation from the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka: what to expect
The UAE hosts a large Sri Lankan community, with nationals working across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the other emirates in construction, domestic services, and hospitality. When a Sri Lankan national dies in the UAE, the sponsoring employer (under the kafala system) notifies the relevant emirate health authority and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Abu Dhabi. The Sri Lanka Embassy in Abu Dhabi coordinates the repatriation process and documentation. The UAE is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication is required for all documents. All documents are in Arabic and require certified Sinhala or Tamil translation for the Registrar General's Department in Sri Lanka. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo receives all repatriated remains. (Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025; UAE Ministry of Human Resources, 2025.)
- Key document: death certificate (in Arabic)
- Documentation takes 5-10 days. Appoint a specialist on day one.
- Death must be registered with the relevant emirate health authority (Dubai Health Authority in Dubai, Department of Health in Abu Dhabi) promptly.
- Sri Lanka Embassy in Abu Dhabi can advise on documentation. They cannot fund repatriation.
The process
What happens after a death in the United Arab Emirates
Call 999 for police and ambulance, or 998 for ambulance in some emirates. Death is certified by a hospital physician. The death is registered with the relevant emirate health authority (Dubai Health Authority in Dubai, Department of Health in Abu Dhabi). Foreign nationals must have deaths reported by their employer or sponsor; the deceased's embassy must be notified on the day of death. All documents are in Arabic and require certified translation. The UAE is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication is required for all documents. The public prosecutor takes jurisdiction for violent or unexplained deaths. Cremation in the UAE is possible for non-Muslims, at designated facilities.
Step by step
Timeline: the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka
Immediate steps after death
Day of death. Call 999 (police and ambulance) / 998 (ambulance in some emirates) 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 relevant emirate health authority (Dubai Health Authority in Dubai, Department of Health in Abu Dhabi). Violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths (public prosecutor takes jurisdiction) may delay this step.
Local funeral director and registry
Sri Lanka Embassy in Abu Dhabi 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 Sri Lanka
Once all documentation complete.
Repatriation specialist and airline cargo
Sri Lanka funeral director takes custody. Receiving funeral director coordinates with local authorities.
Within 24 hours of arrival.
Receiving funeral director
Common questions
FAQs: repatriation from the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka
In a straightforward case, repatriation from the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka takes 3-6 weeks. The fastest cases complete in 2-3 weeks. Complex cases can take 6-12 weeks or longer.
Death must be registered with the relevant emirate health authority (Dubai Health Authority in Dubai, Department of Health in Abu Dhabi) promptly. Violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths (public prosecutor 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 Sri Lanka Embassy in Abu Dhabi can assist with document authentication and advise on repatriation requirements. They cannot pay for or arrange repatriation. Contact the Sri Lanka Embassy in Abu Dhabi as soon as possible after the death.
Violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths (public prosecutor takes jurisdiction) may trigger a post-mortem examination. This adds time: the body cannot be released until the authorities authorise it.
The Sri Lankan funeral director takes custody at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, or Mattala Rajapaksa (HRI) for southern arrivals. The Registrar General's Department handles civil registration on receipt of authenticated overseas documentation. Sri Lanka is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication through the Sri Lanka High Commission or Embassy in the origin country is required. All foreign documents require certified Sinhala or Tamil translation. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required. A burial or cremation permit is required before final disposition.
Cremation in the United Arab Emirates is possible for non-Muslims. The police issue a no objection letter, which is taken to the municipality to obtain a cremation permit for the crematorium. Children under three who die in the UAE cannot be cremated there and must be buried locally or repatriated. You will need the local death certificate, the cremation certificate, and the relevant export documentation.
In Sri Lanka
When the body arrives in Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan funeral director takes custody at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, which handles the majority of repatriated remains. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) in Hambantota may be used for arrivals in southern Sri Lanka. The Registrar General's Department handles civil registration of deaths abroad on receipt of overseas documentation authenticated by the Sri Lanka High Commission or Embassy in the country of origin. Sri Lanka is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention; full consular authentication is required for all foreign documents. All documents require certified Sinhala or Tamil translation for submission to the Registrar General's Department. An embalming certificate and hermetically sealed coffin are required for international air transport. A burial or cremation permit is required from the relevant local authority before final disposition. (Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2025.)
Consular support
The Sri Lanka High Commission or Embassy in Abu Dhabi can advise on documentation requirements and must authenticate all foreign documents. Sri Lanka is not a Hague Apostille Convention member; full consular authentication through the High Commission in Abu Dhabi is required. The High Commission cannot pay for or arrange repatriation.
Related guides
More repatriation guidance
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If your loved one has died in the United Arab Emirates, 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 Sri Lanka.
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 the United Arab Emirates (gov.uk) · the United Arab Emirates repatriation guide · Frequently asked questions