Saying goodbye to a loved one after they pass away is very hard. In the UAE, where people come from many different backgrounds and follow different religions, funerals can be different for everyone.
To make things easier, the UAE has set up a simple 5-step process for dealing with what happens after someone dies. They also have strict laws and big fines for how burials and funerals are done. This helps make sure that everyone follows the rules and that families can say goodbye to their loved ones in peace.
According to Federal Law 10, dead bodies remains, or organs must be buried in specific cemeteries approved by the government.
Here are 12 things to watch out for during burials in the UAE. Breaking these rules could mean a fine of up to Dh500,000.
Dh10,000-Dh50,000 fine
According to federal law, the following actions during the burial process can result in fines ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh50,000:
- Moving a body, remains, or organs within the country without proper permission.
- Taking unauthorized photographs of deceased individuals.
- Erecting structures or making additions inside a cemetery without permission.
- Transporting the deceased in vehicles not designated for this purpose, excluding ambulances.
- Using unofficial channels to transport corpses.
- Misusing cemeteries for purposes other than burial.
Heftier penalties
According to UAE law, both residents and expatriates must obtain permits for burials outside the country or for bringing deceased individuals into the UAE for burial. Here are the consequences for various violations:
- Burial Location: If a burial occurs in a cemetery not authorized by the authorities, the individual may face up to one year in jail and a fine ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh100,000.
- No Permit: Conducting a burial without the required permit within the UAE or transferring a deceased person out of the UAE without a permit can lead to imprisonment for up to a year and a fine ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh500,000.
- Desecration of Cemetery: Desecrating a cemetery, grave, or storage area for the deceased can result in a fine between Dh100,000 and Dh200,000 and imprisonment for up to a year.
- Grave Robbing: Digging up a grave to remove a body or organ may incur a fine ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh200,000 and a prison sentence of four years or more.
- Desecration from Digging: If the grave digging results in the desecration of the deceased, the punishment increases to a prison term exceeding five years.
- Import/Export Violations: Importing or exporting dead bodies, organs, or remains without the necessary permit can result in a fine between Dh50,000 to Dh100,000 and imprisonment for less than a year.
News Source: Khaleej Times
