Road transportation
• Repatriation of the body from abroad to Belarus
• Transportation of the body to Russia and the CIS:
• Transportation of the body to Russia and the CIS:
Body repatriation from Belarus to the UAE
How to arrange transportation of a coffin with the body
Regardless of the mode of transportation (aircraft, road transport), delivery of cargo 200 is a highly responsible task, complex both documentarily and organisationally.
This procedure requires compliance with specific conditions (storage, transportation of the body) and involves the preparation of numerous permit documents for the transportation of cargo.
Repatriation organized from Minsk to Dubai: documents, timing, cost
Business and migration flows between Belarus and the United Arab Emirates are growing fast: thousands of Belarusians and Belarus-based citizens of Arab origin work in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah in hospitality, construction, IT, and maritime sectors. When death occurs, the question of repatriation arises — either to Belarus or, in mixed families and for Emirati nationals, to the UAE under Muslim canons. Sunni Islam calls for burial within 24 hours. Our funeral service coordinates repatriation from Belarus to the UAE in line with Emirati customs requirements, the UAE Ministry of Health, and local religious authorities (Awqaf).
In Belarus we prepare: death certificate from the local ZAGS, medical opinion from the State Committee of Forensic Expertise, non-infection statement, Health Ministry export permit, the deceased's passport. For the UAE an apostille is mandatory — Belarus and the UAE are both parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention (UAE joined in 2021). The Belarusian MFA issues an apostille within 1–2 business days. Documents are translated into Arabic or English with notarization. Legalization via the UAE Embassy (in Moscow) or Belarusian Consulate in Abu Dhabi may also be required.
Emirates flights Minsk (MSQ) — Dubai (DXB) run daily; flight time is about 5.5 hours. Etihad flies via Abu Dhabi (AUH), often with an Istanbul transit. Flydubai also operates direct MSQ–DXB. Total air repatriation takes 36–48 hours from call to handover in the UAE. Sharjah (SHJ), Ras Al Khaimah (RKT), and Al Ain (AAN) airports also accept cargo. A sealed zinc coffin is mandatory; the UAE has strict customs procedures for human remains, so paperwork must be flawless.
At UAE airports the cargo is met by a local funeral service with support from the Belarusian Consulate in Abu Dhabi; customs clearance follows and the body is handed to the family. Emirati Islamic tradition (Sunni, Maliki and Hanbali madhhabs) calls for ghusl washing, kafan shrouding, janazah prayer at the mosque, and burial the same or next day at an Islamic cemetery (Muslim sections Al Quoz in Dubai, Bani Yas in Abu Dhabi). For non-Muslims there are separate Christian cemeteries. We operate in all seven emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah.
The dispatch works 24/7, including Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, UAE National Day (2 December), New Year, and all Belarusian holidays. Initial consultation and quote are free. The turnkey cost from Minsk to Dubai starts at 4,500 USD depending on Emirates/Etihad/Flydubai tariff, cargo weight, and urgency. The price includes morgue, sealing, coffin, crate, apostille, Arabic translation, air tariff, meeting in Dubai, and delivery to the Islamic cemetery or handover. Call +375 29 314-59-59 immediately — every hour matters.
Quick summary
- Phone 24/7: +375 29 314-59-59
- Documents: ZAGS certificate with apostille, medical opinion, Arabic translation
Frequently asked questions
Where in the UAE do you deliver?
We arrange repatriation to all seven emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and to cities Al Ain, Madinat Zayed, Liwa, Hatta, Dibba. International delivery is to Dubai (DXB, DWC), Abu Dhabi (AUH), Sharjah (SHJ), Ras Al Khaimah (RKT), Al Ain (AAN) airports. A hearse transports the cargo to the Muslim or Christian cemetery in any emirate. We work with authorized funeral companies and the Awqaf authority.
What documents are required in Belarus and the UAE?
In Belarus: death certificate (ZAGS), medical cause-of-death opinion, non-infection statement, Health Ministry export permit, the deceased's passport, and the zinc-coffin sealing act with inventory. For the UAE an apostille on the death certificate and medical opinion is mandatory (UAE joined the Hague Convention in 2021). Documents are translated into Arabic with notarization. A letter from the Embassy of Belarus in Abu Dhabi or the Belarusian Consulate in the UAE coordinated with the emirate MFA is also needed.
How long does delivery from Minsk to the UAE take?
By direct Emirates or Flydubai flight Minsk–Dubai: 36–48 hours from call to handover in the UAE. The flight itself is 5.5 hours; the rest is for expedited apostille, coffin sealing, customs, and strict Emirati formalities. Etihad flights via Abu Dhabi work similarly, sometimes with an Istanbul transit. Islam requires burial within 24 hours; if not possible, the Emirati funeral service accepts up to 72 hours of delay for objective transport reasons.
How much does repatriation to the UAE cost?
The turnkey cost from Minsk to Dubai is approximately 4,500–6,800 USD depending on airline tariff (Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai), cargo weight, and urgency. The price covers morgue services, embalming, zinc coffin with sealing, wooden crate, apostille at the Belarusian MFA, notarized Arabic translation, air tariff, meeting at the UAE airport, and delivery to the cemetery. For Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates the price is set individually. Payment by cash, bank transfer, or invoice.
Is a zinc coffin mandatory?
Yes, for international air transport and Emirati customs a hermetically sealed zinc coffin is mandatory — IATA and UAE requirement. Sealing takes place in Minsk at the morgue or our agency; a signed act with inventory is drawn up. The zinc unit sits inside a wooden transport crate protected against flight impact. In the UAE, after arrival, the body is removed and by Muslim tradition washed (ghusl), shrouded in kafan, and buried without a coffin — coordinated with Awqaf and the local funeral service.
Is an apostille required for the UAE?
Yes, an apostille is mandatory for the UAE on the death certificate and medical opinion. The UAE joined the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention in 2021. The Belarusian MFA (Lenin Street 19, Minsk) issues an apostille within 1–2 business days at a state fee of one base unit. After apostille, documents are translated into Arabic by a certified translator with notarization. Additional legalization via the UAE Embassy in Moscow (no embassy in Minsk) may be required.
Can family members accompany the body to the UAE?
Yes, relatives can fly on the same Emirates, Etihad, or Flydubai Minsk–Dubai flight in the passenger cabin. Belarusian citizens need an entry visa for the UAE: applied online in 2–4 business days (a 30-day tourist visa) or issued at the airport for some categories. We assist with ticket bookings, visa processing, and travel paperwork. For the Muslim rite, male relatives' presence is important for the janazah prayer and lowering the body into the grave.
Do relatives need a visa for the UAE?
Yes, Belarusian citizens need a UAE visa. A 30-day tourist visa is issued online via Emirates, Flydubai, Etihad sites, or UAE hotels in 2–4 business days for 50–100 USD. A visa on arrival is available in some cases. Russian citizens enjoy a visa-free regime up to 90 days. We advise on visa matters, help book hotels in Dubai or Abu Dhabi near Islamic cemeteries, and arrange transfers between emirates for the family.
Do you work during Ramadan and Islamic holidays?
Yes, our dispatch works 24/7 year-round — including the month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Isra and Miraj, Mawlid, UAE National Day (2 December), Commemoration Day, New Year, Easter, and all Belarusian holidays. Islam requires swift burial, so during Ramadan we work in the same mode. Minsk morgues operate round the clock; ZAGS issues certificates on weekends via an on-call desk. Emirates and Flydubai flights to the UAE run without breaks.
What if some documents are missing?
We help reconstruct the package: duplicate death certificate from ZAGS (1–2 days), medical statement from the institution where death was confirmed, passport copy via the migration service. If the deceased is a UAE national without Belarusian documents, we coordinate with the UAE Embassy in Moscow (no embassy in Minsk) and the Belarusian Consulate in Abu Dhabi. The necessary paperwork and coordination are issued. Full reconstruction takes 3–7 business days due to the strict Emirati requirements.