Of everything involved in bringing someone home from the UAE, the paperwork is the part that takes longest. It's rarely the flight, but the documents.
That's not because the system is chaotic. It's the opposite, really. The UAE is thorough, and each document depends on the one before it being in place. Miss one step and the whole chain stops until it's sorted.
This guide goes through what's needed, roughly in the order it happens, so you know what to expect.
Read more: Repatriation from the UAE
The Documents, Step by Step
1. A medical or forensic report. If your loved one died in hospital, the hospital issues a report confirming the cause of death. If they died anywhere else, the police are involved and a forensic report is needed. Depending on the circumstances, this may include a post-mortem.
2. A police certificate. For any death outside hospital, the police issue a certificate once they’re satisfied with the forensic findings. This applies even when the death was expected, such as after a long illness.
3. The official death certificate. This is issued by the relevant health authority, which varies by emirate. It’s often in Arabic, and may need a certified translation for use in the UK.
4. Consular documents. The British Embassy or consulate needs to be involved. The deceased’s passport is cancelled, and the consulate provides the paperwork needed for the body to travel.
5. Police release and embalming authorisation. Once the consular side is done, the police issue further letters allowing the body to be embalmed and released.
6. An embalming certificate. Embalming is compulsory for repatriation from the UAE. The facility provides a certificate once it’s complete.
7. Coffin and transport documents. This includes confirmation that the coffin has been properly sealed, and the air waybill for the flight.
When things run smoothly, the UAE side can be done in a few days. When a post-mortem is needed, or it’s a public holiday, it takes longer.
What Happens with Documents in the UK
This bit tends to catch people off guard. Getting your loved one home isn't the end of the paperwork.
In England and Wales, when a death abroad is repatriated, the local coroner is informed. If the death was sudden, violent or unexplained, the coroner may decide to investigate, and occasionally that means a second post-mortem here.
For a burial, the registrar issues a certificate of no liability to register, because the death was already registered in the UAE. For a cremation, authorisation is needed from the coroner. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own processes, which differ slightly.
You can also choose to register the death with the UK government, so there's a UK record. It's not compulsory, but some families find it useful later for things like probate.
The Small Things That Cause Big Delays
Honestly, it's often the details.
Names are a good example. Arabic documents transliterate names, and if a spelling on the death certificate doesn't exactly match the passport, it can be questioned at either end. We check this early for exactly that reason.
A few other common hold-ups:
- The passport can't be found, or is being held by an employer
- The next of kin hasn't yet given written authorisation
- A post-mortem is ordered, which pauses everything else
- Offices are closed for a public holiday, or working shorter hours during Ramadan
None of these are unusual. They just need someone keeping an eye on them.
What We'll Ask You For
To get started, we usually need:
- A copy of the deceased's passport
- ID for the next of kin
- A signed authorisation from the next of kin
- Details of the UK funeral director, if you've chosen one
That's often all. Our partners in the UAE handle the local documents, translations and liaison with the authorities, and we keep you updated as each step is completed.
Why a Specialist Usually Saves Money
Some families try to deal directly with a local agent in Dubai, hoping to keep costs down. Occasionally that works. More often, it leads to delays over Arabic documents, missed steps with the consulate, or UK-side costs nobody mentioned at the start.
We've worked with the same trusted partners in the UAE for years. That means fewer surprises, and a quote that reflects the whole journey, not just the Dubai end of it.
We're Here to Help
Rowland Brothers International has decades of experience with repatriations from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the UAE. If you're not sure where to start, call us. We can tell you what's needed for your situation, manage all paperwork and take it from there. We aim to reduce your stress and any potential delays in bringing your loved one home.
Read more: How Much Does It Cost to Repatriate a Loved One from Dubai to the UK?
Contact Rowland Brothers International for a no-obligation repatriation quote.
