In the unfortunate event that a Filipino citizen passes away abroad, the family members, friends, or colleagues of the deceased can make arrangements for shipping the person’s remains to the Philippines.
As part of these arrangements, a Report of Death must be filed with the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. This article presents the requirements and procedures involved in such cases. Please remember that because of the pandemic , people need to make an appointment before going to the Embassy, by sending an email to civilregistry_auhpe@yahoo.com.
Contents
- Guide to Arranging Shipment of Remains and Report of Death
- Step 1. Submission of Requirements
- Case-Specific Requirements
- If the deceased is single and the parent/sibling is in the UAE, these documents must be presented to the Embassy:
- If the deceased is married and the spouse is in the UAE, these documents must be presented to the Embassy:
- If the deceased is single and the parent/sibling is in the Philippines, these documents must be presented to DFA-OUMWA (Manila) or to the nearest DFA-Regional Consular Office (RCO):
- If the deceased is married and the spouse is in the Philippines, these documents must be presented to DFA-OUMWA (Manila) or to the nearest DFA-Regional Consular Office (RCO):
- Step 2. Report of Death
- Step 3. Payment of Fees
- Step 4. Submission of Receipt to Civil Registry Counter
- Step 5. Submission of Receipt to Assistance to Nationals Section
- Step 6. Confirmation of Shipment of Remains
Guide to Arranging Shipment of Remains and Report of Death
The death of a Filipino citizen in the UAE may be reported by a family member, colleague, company representative, sponsor/employer, or any person concerned. Below are the requirements, fees, and steps to be followed:
Step 1. Submission of Requirements
Proceed to the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Section at the Philippine Embassy to accomplish the Request for Assistance Form (ATN Form No. 1) and to submit these requirements:
- Original Passport of the deceased (for cancellation)
- Original Death Certificate (English and Arabic versions) duly authenticated by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Original Medical Report – Death Notification
- Original Passport or any valid government ID of the informant
- Original Letter from the sponsor/employer (if the deceased is employed) that includes:
- Informing the Embassy about the death of the employee and important details surrounding his/her death
- Informing the Embassy that the family in the Philippines has already been informed about the death of their relative
- Period of employment from the date the employee was hired
- Contract of employment signed by the deceased and the company representative
- Detailed end-of-service benefits and other compensations from the employer
- Complete name, address, and contact numbers of the person accompanying the remains to the Philippines (if any)
- Photocopy of the said documents
- Cargo Certificate stating complete flight details of the aircraft that will carry the remains of the deceased to the Philippines
- Fee of AED 200 for the Certificate of No Objection and Certificate of Mortuary, which will be issued by the Embassy
- Police Report (in cases of unnatural death)
NOTE: The Certificate of No Objection is required by the hospital for the embalming of the body, while the Certificate of Mortuary is required by the cargo services.
Case-Specific Requirements
Depending on the case, please prepare the following requirements as well.
If the deceased is single and the parent/sibling is in the UAE, these documents must be presented to the Embassy:
- Verified statement or letter of the next-of-kin (NOK) accepting the remains
- Verified statement of the NOK accepting the benefits
- Other supporting documents that establish the identity and relationship of the
- NOK to the deceased (e.g. Birth Certificate, Passport, valid government ID, etc.)
If the deceased is married and the spouse is in the UAE, these documents must be presented to the Embassy:
- Verified statement or letter of the next-of-kin (NOK) accepting the remains
- Verified statement of the NOK accepting the benefits
- Other supporting documents that establish the identity and relationship of the NOK to the deceased (e.g. Marriage Contract, Certificate of No Marriage or CENOMAR, Passport, etc.)
If the deceased is single and the parent/sibling is in the Philippines, these documents must be presented to DFA-OUMWA (Manila) or to the nearest DFA-Regional Consular Office (RCO):
- Letter of Acceptance from the family of the deceased, with complete name, address, and contact numbers of the family member who will receive the remains upon arrival in Manila
- Verified statement or letter of the next-of-kin (NOK) accepting the remains
- Verified statement of the NOK accepting the benefits
- Other supporting documents that establish the identity and relationship of the NOK to the deceased (e.g. Birth Certificate, Passport, valid government ID, etc.)
NOTE: These documents shall be enclosed in the communication that will be sent to the Embassy for the issuance of a Certificate of No Objection.
If the deceased is married and the spouse is in the Philippines, these documents must be presented to DFA-OUMWA (Manila) or to the nearest DFA-Regional Consular Office (RCO):
- Letter of Acceptance from the family of the deceased, with complete name, address, and contact numbers of the family member who will receive the remains upon arrival in Manila
- Verified statement or letter of the next-of-kin (NOK) accepting the remains
- Verified statement of the NOK accepting the benefits
- Other supporting documents that establish the identity and relationship of the NOK to the deceased (e.g. Marriage Contract, Certificate of No Marriage or CENOMAR, Passport, etc.)
NOTE: These documents shall be enclosed in the communication that will be sent to the Embassy for the issuance of a Certificate of No Objection.
Step 2. Report of Death
Proceed to the Civil Registry Counter at the Embassy and submit the following documents:
- Four (4) copies of typewritten Report of Death form (entries must be written in CAPITAL LETTERS)
- Four (4) photocopies of the Passports of the deceased and the informant
- Original Death Certificate (English and Arabic versions) duly authenticated by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Cargo Certificate stating complete flight details of the aircraft that will carry the remains of the deceased to the Philippines
- Fee of AED 100 for the Report of Death (additional AED 40 for expedite fee)
Step 3. Payment of Fees
Proceed to the Cashier for payment of fees.
Step 4. Submission of Receipt to Civil Registry Counter
Return to the Civil Registry Counter and submit the yellow receipt.
Step 5. Submission of Receipt to Assistance to Nationals Section
Return to the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Section and submit the receipt. The Certificate of No Objection and Certificate of Mortuary will be released.
Step 6. Confirmation of Shipment of Remains
Upon receiving confirmation of the flight that will carry the body to Manila, the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi will inform the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Manila about the date and time of arrival, for the information of the consignees and the family as well.
Please be guided by the above procedures when making a Report of Death. Moreover, keep in mind that the Report of Death must be reported as soon as possible, especially since this is a necessary requirement not only for the shipment of remains, but also for the purposes of inheritance and other related concerns.
DISCLAIMER: The above guide is presented for general information-sharing purposes only. To learn more about the requirements, fees, and procedures regarding Report of Death and shipment of remains, please visit the official website of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi.