What to do if someone dies in Qatar

Qatar is one of the more manageable Gulf repatriations. The combination of modern hospital infrastructure at Hamad Medical Corporation, Qatar Airways’ direct cargo services to Heathrow, and the British Embassy’s deep experience with Qatar’s large UK expatriate community creates conditions for a faster process than most Middle East origins.

Step 1: Notify the British Embassy Doha

Address: PO Box 3, Doha. Phone: +974 4496 2000. FCDO 24-hour emergency: +44 1908 516666.

The British Embassy registers the death with UK authorities, assists with documentation, and advises on current Qatari government requirements. Given the size of the UK community in Qatar, Embassy staff deal with repatriation matters frequently.

Step 2: Death registration at Ministry of Interior

Deaths are registered through the Civil Status Affairs Department of the Ministry of Interior. The attending doctor certifies cause of death on the medical death certificate. The Civil Status Department issues the official civil death certificate.

Step 3: Qatar Police and Ministry of Interior investigation (unnatural deaths)

For unnatural, violent, suspicious, or unexplained deaths, the Qatar Police investigate. The Ministry of Interior retains oversight of the investigation process. A post-mortem may be ordered at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation. Hamad Medical Corporation operates modern forensic facilities; post-mortem processing at HMC is considerably faster than at many regional equivalents.

For straightforward workplace accidents or traffic fatalities, the investigation timeline is typically 5 to 7 days. For more complex circumstances, allow 10 to 14 days.

Step 4: Cremation is not available

Cremation is not available in Qatar. Islamic law governs burial practice. No non-Muslim cremation facility exists in the country. Repatriation of the body is the only option.

Step 5: Ministry of Public Health export permit

The Ministry of Public Health issues the export permit. Required documents: civil death certificate, Ministry of Interior investigation release, HMC post-mortem report (if conducted), embalming certificate, freedom from contagious disease clearance. Allow three to five working days for the permit.

Step 6: Qatar Airways cargo to Heathrow

Qatar Airways operates direct scheduled services from Hamad International Airport (DOH) to London Heathrow. The airline’s cargo division is a highly efficient operation with regular consignment handling. Your specialist’s local agent will coordinate the cargo booking with Qatar Airways Cargo. Source: FCDO guidance on death in Qatar; Qatar Law No. 16 of 2010 (Civil Status); Hamad Medical Corporation procedures; British Embassy Doha consular guidance (2023).