A little grim for a Sunday, perhaps, but this piece from Saudi Gazette shows that it’s not a simple matter to die as an expat in Saudi Arabia. Cultural practices and religious laws come into conflict and seriously complicate the matter of returning one’s remains to his home country. The article focuses on Indians, but the complications exist for everyone, no matter the country of origin.
The article doesn’t even touch the technicalities and red tape involved with the home country. I know that many Americans are surprised and dismayed to learn that the US government does not pay to repatriate remains: that is a matter for the families of the deceased to arrange. The Embassy can help with the paperwork, but that’s about it. The result is angry communications from citizens and often their congressional representatives, but what the State Department can do to assist is limited by US law as much as Saudi law.
Handling the dead
Syeda Amtul and Syed Mussarat KhalilThe sudden death of a beloved is a time of crisis for the family, more so for expatriates, who, in their time of grief, are far away from their relatives and home. A lack of information about the disposal of dead bodies and associated procedures aggravate the situation.
According to Saudi law, when the dead body is of a Muslim, the family can choose between a local burial (in Saudi Arabia) or in the dead person’s home country.
In the case of a non-Muslim expatriate, the body is dispatched to his respective country, as the government normally does not allow burial of non-Muslims in the Kingdom.
According to the Indian Consulate’s website, dead bodies in the following exceptional cases are buried in the Kingdom irrespective of the religion:• Dead body of an expatriate executed in the Kingdom.
• Young children
• Cases where family of a non-Muslim wants local burial in Saudi Arabia and the sponsor manages to get permission.
• Dead bodies pending dispatch in the Kingdom for a long time, where response from the family is not forthcoming for acceptance of bodies on arrival at the destination.
• Dead body is too mutilated to be dispatched, as a result of traffic/industrial accident etc.
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October:25:2009 - 11:17
Every country has it laws and customs. Deciding to live in KSA means we agree or at least can endure whatever it is goes on here. It is late for those that are gone. Death is certain, and can be at anytime. If you do not want to die as an expat in saudi, this is the time to leave. Seriously, start packing up!
Stop complaining.
October:25:2009 - 11:39
I don’t think the article was actually a complaint. Rather, it was an explanation of a complicated process.
You’re absolutely correct, though, that if you don’t want to accept the local laws and customs, you might be better off not traveling to other countries.
That’s something the Foreign Ministry is finding it useful to remind Saudis as they travel and live abroad.
October:26:2009 - 02:05
Curious about what would happen if a person dies and considers themselves Muslim…but those in charge didnt..as in…Muslims can be so judgmental over who is and who isnt Muslim in their eyes….are they buried in Saudi..or sent home in disgrace? Just a thought.
October:26:2009 - 03:42
It’s part of your legal record here. Your religion is listed on your iqama- and if you convert you get documentation for that. I suppose it could happen that someone doesn’t document their conversion. I would imagine, however that unofficial converts will not usually have Muslim families to advocate for them and they would probably want the body back anyway. I suppose they could petition with witnesses but I doubt this comes up often.
October:26:2009 - 07:00
I’m trying to wrack my brain to remember what is done in the KSA when it comes to cremation. I don’t recall whether there’s an unofficial crematorium in the country or if bodies are shipped to Bahrain to be cremated, then the ‘cremains’ sent to home countries.
October:26:2009 - 11:14
I’ve never heard there is one. The orthodox view is it is UnIslamic. The only person I personally know sent home, was sent home intact.
October:26:2009 - 12:33
I just can’t remember what arrangements are made. I know the issue has come up several times and that the needs were met, but I don’t recall whether there was a ‘bootleg’ crematorium in the EP or it was off to Bahrain with the remains.