Funeral and Repatriation in Qatar: A Guide

Death is always a sorrowful event. Imagine how stressful it can be when a loved one dies in a foreign country.

ALSO READ: 10 Smart Tips for OFWs Before Moving to Qatar

In Qatar, there is the Humanitarian Services Office to assist in processing death cases. The same office works hand in hand with other agencies and embassies to bring the body to the respective country.

Guide and Requirement

Procedure for Bringing the Body Home

In case of death, the Humanitarian Services Office is tasked to assist the family of the deceased. The office has a simplified procedure for repatriation of the body of the expatriate. The office is located near the Hamad General Hospital Mortuary and is open 7 days a week. All the requirements can be accomplished under one roof.

If the death occurred outside the hospital, it has to be reported to 999 for the police report. The police officer will then file a report before transporting the body to the mortuary. There is no charge for transporting the body. Once at the mortuary, the body can be embalmed.

While the body is being processed in the mortuary, the relatives in the home country will also be notified. For questionable deaths, the family or anyone in charge of the body can also request a post-mortem report. The relatives will sign a consent form for the procedure to be carried.

Requirements and Procedure in the Humanitarian Services Office

This office is a one-stop shop and all the necessary offices can be found on one roof. Here are the procedures for each office:

  1. Hamad Medical Center – Counters 1 and 2
  • Valid passport of the deceased expat
  • The ID of the person who is processing the funeral and expatriation
  • Duly accomplished death registration form
  • Death notification report from the doctor
  1. Ministry of Public Health – Counters 3 and 4
  • Death notification report from Hamad Medical Center
  • Passport of the deceased
  • The ID of the person who is processing the funeral and expatriation
  • Death registration form
  • Consent form of handing over the body, the police will give this form. Only applicable if the expat died outside the hospital

When the requirements are processed, the Ministry will provide these documents:

  • Death certificate
  • Embalming certificate and other pertinent documents for repatriation of the body (these refer to letters that will be given to Customs officials, health department officials, and mortuary of the home country)
  • Burial permit (if the body will be buried in Qatar)
  1. Ministry of Interior – Counters 5, 6, and 7

This counter will provide “To Whom It May Concern” certifications, cancellation of residence permit (RP), and the exit permit to release the body.

To get the RP canceled, here are the documents needed:

  • Copy of the death certificate
  • Application for RP cancellation
  • Copy of the ID of sponsoring company
  • The original ID of the deceased, or missing report if the ID is lost
  • Passport of the deceased expat

To get the “To Whom It May Concern” certificate, the following documents are needed:

  • Copy of the death certificate from the hospital
  • Copy of the embalming certificate from the mortuary or hospital
  • Copy of the death report from the hospital
  • If applicable, a letter from the police attesting that death occurred outside the hospital

To get the exit permit, prepare the following documents:

  • Exit declaration form
  • Death certificate from the hospital
  • Passport of the deceased expat
  • RP cancellation certification
  1. Qatar Airways (Counter 8)

The airline will issue the “cargo policy” and a ticket for the authorized person who will accompany the body to the country of origin

  • The following documents will be needed:
  • Copy of death certificate from the hospital
  • Copy of the “To Whom It May Concern” document
  • Letter from the respective embassy
  • Passport of the deceased expat

Aside from the Humanitarian Assistance Office, there are paper works that need to be accomplished in the consular office of the deceased and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The respective embassy will require a copy of the death certificate, death report, and the “To Whom It May Concern” certificate.  The embassy will then issue the “No Objection Certificate” so that the body will be cleared to leave Qatar.

Meanwhile, the consular affairs department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will facilitate the release of the “no objection certificate” to allow the body to be repatriated as soon as possible.

If the deceased has a pending concern, such as absconding or died due to a road accident, a report will have to be filed before the repatriation process can start.

All the certificates and documents mentioned will be given free of charge. However, if the body will be repatriated, there will be a corresponding airline fee (for the body and the accompanying person). Payment will also be required for mortuary and coffin charges, which range from QR 1,200 to 1,500.

Here are the contact details of the different counters in the Humanitarian Assistance Office:

  • Ministry of Interior – 402 53371, 402 53372, and 402 43369
  • MoPH – 402 53370 and 402 53364
  • HMC – 402 53368 and 402 53365
  • Qatar Airways – 402 53374
  • Fax number of Humanitarian Assistance Office – 403 80855

READ NEXT: List of Money Exchange Centers in Qatar