Part I. U.S. Consulate Information
U.S. Consulate General Dubai
Address: Corner of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road and Al Seef Road, Bur Dubai
Dubai, U.A.E.
Phone: +971 4 309 4000
Email: DubaiACS@state.gov
State Department Country Specific Information
State Department Travel Information
Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP)
Part II. Profile of Religions of the Host Country and Religious Services available to visitors
Country Profile: Visit the State Department’s website “Background Note: UAE”
The constitution designates Islam as the official religion. It guarantees freedom of worship as long as it does not conflict with public policy or morals. It states all persons are equal before the law.
Of the total population (both citizen and noncitizen), the 2005 census found 76 percent to be Muslim, 9 percent Christian, and 15 percent from other religious groups comprising mainly Hindus and Buddhists, but also including Parsis, Bahais, Druze, Sikhs, and Jews. Ahmadi Muslims, Ismaili Muslims, and Dawoodi Bohra Muslims together constitute less than 5 percent of the total population and are almost entirely noncitizens. The Pew Research Center estimated in 2010, 76.9 percent of the total population was Muslim, 12.6 percent Christian, 6.6 percent Hindu, 2 percent Buddhist, with the remaining belonging to other faith traditions.
Part III. Funeral Directors, Mortician and Related Services Available
DISCLAIMER: U.S. Consulate General Dubai assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of the services provided by, the following persons or firms. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the service providers.
If you wish to hire the assistance of funeral service providers in Dubai and the northern Emirates, please contact one of the companies listed below. These companies have experience in repatriating remains to the United States and can assist with all of the paperwork and details involved.
- GRAFCO Middle East
Al Karama Beside ADCB Metro Station -back side of ADCB bank-Infront of fortune Karama Crystal Building
2nd floor
Tamdeen business center, Office 201 –
Room no 18
Dubai, U.A.E
Phone: +971 4 2712 554; +971 4 3350 492; +971 50 6544 378
Email: info@grafcome.com
Director: John Korah
- Middle East Funeral Services/Middle East Assistance
P.O. Box 111474, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 4 273 0313; +971 50 494 1624; +971 50 427 7145
Email: info@meassistance.ae
Director: Vivian Albertyn
Part IV. Profile of services available in host country regarding preparation and shipment of remains
Upon discovery of a death, notify the nearest police station immediately (not required if the death occurs in a hospital). The police will arrange for an ambulance to transport the body to either Rashid Hospital or Al-Muhaisnah Medical Fitness Centre, both of which have refrigerated mortuary facilities, or to the General Department of Forensic and Criminology located at Dubai Police General Headquarters.
Contact the American Citizen Services (ACS) unit at U.S. Consulate General Dubai at +971 4 309 4000. ACS will direct you to the proper UAE authorities and assist you in collecting the necessary documents. In addition, ACS will issue (at no charge) a Consular Report of Death Abroad of an American citizen, which satisfies most legal requirements of a United States death certificate.
- Maximum Period Before Burial
UAE law requires local burial to be carried out within two weeks of death. However, remains may be held in refrigeration for a longer period if circumstances warrant an investigation into the reasons of death or in the case of an unidentified or unclaimed body.
- Embalming
Embalming is available at Al-Muhaisnah Medical Fitness Centre, located next to Al Qusais Cemetery, at a cost of 1072 dirhams ($294). The Centre can be contacted at +971 4 502 3910 or +971 4 502 3939.
Since the type of embalmment performed in the UAE is effective for a maximum of four to seven days, the clinic will only complete the procedure twelve to twenty-four hours prior to burial or exportation. In the event of exportation, a letter from the airline indicating a confirmed reservation is required. The cost of transportation to the airport is 220 dirhams ($60). International regulations require zinc-lined coffins to be used for repatriations and the dressing of the deceased is not normally allowed. A temporary shroud will be provided by the hospital and very simple zinc-lined coffins can be obtained at a fee. Please note that someone will be required to identify the deceased before and after embalming. This can be the agent or nominated representative.
- Cremation
In general, UAE law does not permit cremation. However, local authorities may grant permission to cremate remains provided that the deceased was a legal resident or visitor. The only cremation facilities are located in Dubai and Sharjah. However, permission may be obtained from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Interior to transfer the body from any of the northern Emirates to Dubai for cremation.
The crematorium in Dubai is managed by Regal Traders, which can be contacted at +971 4 353 2320 or +971 50 507 1640. Cremation at this facility is performed according to Hindu tradition. The Sharjah Crematorium is owned and managed by the Indian Association in Sharjah, can be reached at +971 6 561 0845 or +971 50 786 6591. This facility is mainly for use if the death occurred in Sharjah and the other northern Emirates. Additional paperwork may be required if death occurred in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. This facility performs cremation according to Hindu tradition.
The following documentation is necessary for cremation:
- A photocopy of the deceased’s passport and death certificate.
- A no-objection letter from the deceased’s embassy or consulate.
- A letter from deceased’s next of kin addressed to the police requesting permission for cremation.
- A no-objection letter from the police authorizing the cremation.
- If the cremation will be performed in Dubai, an application form must be obtained from Regal Traders. Regal Traders does not charge a fee for cremation services.
- Caskets and Containers
Caskets can be obtained at Regal Traders or at Al-Muhaisnah Medical Fitness Centre at a cost of 1840 dirhams ($502).
- Exportation of Human Remains
The local police, hospital, service providers, and Consulate work together to prepare the documentation and clearances required for the export of remains to the U.S. The following are the local requirements for the export of human remains:
- A death certificate issued by the UAE Ministry of Health—Department of Preventive Medicine at Al Baraha Hospital, can be contacted at +971 4 271 0000. The certificate costs 60 dirhams ($17).
- Report of Death of an American Citizen Abroad issued by the U.S. Consulate
- Consular Mortuary Certificate issued by the U.S. Consulate
- Affidavit by the local mortuary
- Exportation of Human Cremains/Ashes
There are no regulations or standards for the exportation of human cremains/ashes.
- Costs
All dollar costs have been converted from the cost in local currency at the rate of exchange as of June 20, 2019, which was 3.67 dirhams to one dollar.
| Service | Dirhams | Dollars |
| Embalming fee | 1,072 AED | $294 |
| Cremation fee | Dubai: 2000 + 1020 municipality fee
Sharjah: 3000 + 1000 municipality fee |
Dubai: $822
Sharjah: $1089 |
| Burial fee | 1,100 AED (Adults)
350 AED (Children) |
$300 (Adults)
$95 (Children) |
| Transportation of Remains to Airport fee | 220 AED | $60 |
| Casket fee | 1,840 AED | $502 |
Total Cost:
Below are estimated prices for preparation and air shipment of remains from Dubai to several U.S. cities.
Embalmed Remains:
The maximum weight of the remains and coffin should be below 130 kgs. Additional charges will apply if total weight exceeds 130 kgs.
| Dubai to: | Dirhams | Dollars |
| New York | 17,400 AED | $4,742 |
| Dallas | 18,150 AED | $4,946 |
| Los Angeles | 18,700 AED | $5,096 |
Cremated Remains:
| Dubai to: | Dirhams | Dollars |
| New York | 8,500 AED | $2.317 |
| Dallas | 8,600 AED | $2,344 |
| Los Angeles | 8,500 AED | $2,317 |
- Exhumation and Shipment
Family members of the deceased may make a request to the office of public prosecution for exhumation of remains. If the request is approved, the office of public prosecution will issue a no objection certificate to the police station where the death case was registered to allow exhumation of remains.
- Autopsies
Autopsies may be requested by local authorities if circumstances warrant an investigation into the reason of death. Family members of the deceased may also request an autopsy by submitting a request to the office of public prosecution.
- Local Customs Regarding Funerals, Disposition of Remains, Mourning, Memorial Services
Permission to be buried locally must be obtained from cemetery management, the local police, and the Dubai municipality. Please note that before granting such permission, the local police will request to see a letter from the Consulate stating that the Consulate has no objection to the burial of the remains locally. The Consulate will issue the letter at no charge.
Individuals who are not on a valid residency visa may not be buried or cremated in Dubai and repatriation is the only option available.
Muslims are required to produce a burial permit issued by the police station to the burial ground located in Al Quoz in Dubai, and next to the Cricket Stadium in Sharjah.
Local Christian burial can be conducted by Holy Trinity Church and St. Mary’s Church. can be reached at +971 4 335 2481 or +971 4 337 0083 ext: 117. The St. Mary’s can be contacted at +971 4 3358504
Burial at the Christian cemetery for adults costs 1100 dirhams ($300) and 350 dirhams ($95) for children under 7 years old.
For pastoral support you may contact the ministers at Christ Church Jebel Ali (+971 4 884 5436) or the Holy Trinity Church (+971 4 337 4947) for Anglican support, or the priest at St. Mary’s Church for Roman Catholic support (+971 4 337 0087).
Last update: 20 April 2022