Employees transport the body of a COVID-19 victim to Sonapur Hindu crematorium in Dubai. File/ AFP

The Consulate General of India (CGI), Dubai, has urged all employers and sponsors to report death of any Indian national under their sponsorship immediately and take urgent steps to complete death related formalities for performing last rites locally or in India as per family’s authorisation.

According to a consulate spokesperson, during the past few weeks the Consulate has observed that due to the Covid-19 situation there have been delays on the part of employers, sponsors and families in claiming mortal remains from various mortuaries.

"The Consulate has been advised by local authorities that the mortal remains must be claimed expeditiously and their burial, cremation or repatriation be completed. If mortal remains are not claimed and last rites completed within a short span of time, local laws permit authorities to perform the burial locally,” stated a press note issued by the consulate on Friday.

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In death cases the information first comes to employers, sponsors or family and friends of the deceased. In many cases the consulate has seen undue delay on the part of employers and sponsors in completing the local formalities or even giving the information about death to the consulate. Particularly in the Covid-19 situation this creates additional burden on mortuaries and government facilities.

The consulate urged all employers and sponsors to report death of any Indian national under their sponsorship immediately on our Emergency Helpline No. +971-507347676 and take urgent steps to complete death related formalities for performing last rites locally or in India as per family’s authorisation. Information related to death may also be sent to the consulate email deathregistration.dubai@mea.gov.in

"We also request family or friends of anyone who passes away to inform the consulate about the same and provide their authorisation quickly. This is especially important in case of any unfortunate death due to Covid-19 wherein the last rites needs to be completed locally as per the directives of the Government of UAE. These steps are necessary to ensure dignified end to a departed soul,” said the spokesperson.

Since the start of the Vande Bharat Mission, Indian missions in the UAE have been arranging return of mortal remains of Indians on special flights running from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to various destinations in India.