Relatives reveal reason for growing trend of conducting final rites of expats in UAE 

ABU DHABI: An important question that expatriate families face when their loved one dies is whether to bring the body home or to bury it abroad. Reports indicate that many expatriates in the UAE are increasingly opting to bury their relatives there.

There are certain procedures that need to be followed to prepare the necessary documents for funerals in the UAE. There are many funeral services available in the country. Hindu expatriates also reveal that the procedures required for cremation in the UAE are simple and convenient.

Aarush Bala, an expat said that cremation services are available in the UAE at a low cost. Aarush had performed the funeral rites of his uncle who died in the UAE there. Aarush clarified that the cremation fee is 2,500 dirhams (roughly Rs 57,000). A deposit of 500 dirhams and a municipality fee of 1010 dirhams should be paid. Aarush said the total cost of the cremation was about 4,000 dirhams (about Rs 91,000).

Expats said the cost for the cremation in the UAE is much lower than bringing the body back home. More and more expats prefer to have a funeral abroad because they can visit the graves of their relatives more often and perform memorial services.