How to cremate a loved one

The death of a loved one is a traumatic experience, and handling formalities and paperwork surrounding funeral arrangements can make it even more distressing, especially in a foreign country.
Multi-faith cremations are done at the New Sonapur Hindu Cremation Ground in Jebel Ali, and Al Foah Crematorium and Burial Facility in Al Ain.
Residents must produce several documents. Among them are a death certificate from the hospital with legal translation in Arabic and English, and an attested copy of the death certificate from the ministries of health and foreign affairs.
Residents must also cancel the deceased's visa and passport, acquire a cremation permit, and obtain a release letter from the police. If the deceased was a resident of one emirate and died in another, a letter from that emirate's police department is necessary for transporting the body. Children under the age of five are buried or repatriated to their home countries.
Specialised arrangements can be made for children.
"When some religions prohibit children being cremated, the other option is to bury," said Don Fox, chief executive at Al Foah Funeral Services. "We have fully landscaped burial grounds with a special area for children."
Al Foah Funeral Services and the Middle East Funeral Services (MEFS) offer to take care of all the paperwork, arrange transportation for the remains, and facilitate other services.
MEFS usually takes two to three days to complete the formalities, and charges between Dh5,000 and Dh15,000. Al Foah Funeral Services usually completes documentation in a day, and charges between Dh2,000 and Dh18,000. The total costs vary depending on the family's needs. The processing time can be longer if it is a police case.
pkannan@thenational.ae
 
Contacts
1. Middle East Funeral Services (MEFS): Phone 0504941624, 0504277145.
2. Al Foah Funeral Services: Phone 0567373618 /3619/3624.