Death Case Procedure

The Labour and Social Welfare Wing plays the role of a coordinator and facilitator by providing guidance and support for the redressal of grievances of the large number of Indian nationals residing Qatar.

Procedure to be completed following the death of an Indian National in Qatar

1.	The death of Indian nationals in Qatar due to natural / unnatural reasons like traffic accident, work related accident, suicide, murder, etc. is to be intimated to (i)  the nearest Police authorities, (ii)  next of kin in India, and (iii)  the Indian Embassy.
2.	The body of the deceased is transferred to Mortuary at the Hamad Hospital (Tel. No. 439 2046), doctor from the Public Health Department at the Mortuary issues the Notification of Death which is to be taken to the National Health Authority office near the Lulu Center (Tel No. 447 3696) who issue the Death Certificate. The Death Certificate is to be taken to the Ministry of Interior office at Azizia (Tel. 447 1444) who issue the Transfer of Dead Body Certificate.
3.	The next of kin has to send a letter to the Indian Embassy(Fax No. 467 0448) stating that he /she has no objection for the burial or transportation of mortal remains and authorizing either the sponsor, close relative / friend or any other person known to them, to take charge of the body for local burial or transportation to India.
4.	After obtaining the above 3 certificates, the body could be booked for transportation to India by an airline.
5.	The details of personal items of the deceased are to be listed in front of some witness and handed over to the authorized representative.
6.	The authorised representative has to contact the Labour and Social Welfare Wing of the Embassy (Tel. 557 1089 / 425 5700) with the passport of the deceased for cancellation and copies of the Death Certificate issued by the Ministry of Public Health, Original Certificate for Transfer of Dead issued from the Ministry of Interior and Notification of Death issued by Ministry of Public Health and obtain No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Embassy for local burial or transportation to India
7.	On receipt of No Objection Certificate from the Embassy, the mortuary authorities will release the dead body for local burial. They will also issue Burial Permission Certificate for cemeteries for burial.
8.	In case of transportation to India, the mortal remains are to be embalmed at mortuary and coffin charges are about QR 1200/- to QR 1500/-. Tel: 435 5460, 538 4072 .
9.	Hospital authorities to be contacted for embalming of mortal remains only after obtaining clearance from Ministry of Interior for Transfer of the body.
10.	Iqama of the deceased is to be submitted for cancellation and exit visa stamp should be obtained from the Airport immigration office on the cancelled passport of the deceased.
11.	All documents are to be given to cargo agents for booking the mortal remains.
12.	An affidavit is also to be submitted by the legal heirs to the nearest airlines office at nearest International / Domestic airport stating that mortal remains would be accepted by them without any delay from the cargo terminal, on arrival from abroad. The same is to be faxed to the sponsor, airline and to the Embassy. The airline cargo office may not accept dead body without this affidavit.

Claims for Legal Dues

As soon as the death of an Indian national is notified to the Embassy of India, the local sponsor is asked to settle the outstanding legal dues. Although in many cases the legal dues are settled before the dead body is buried or sent to India, in many cases, it involves delay on the part of the sponsor. In such cases, the Embassy is authorized to receive the dues on behalf of the legal heirs of the deceased. As soon as the dues are received, the amount is remitted by the Embassy of India, to the district authorities for disbursement to the legal heirs of the deceased.

Claims for Death Compensation

According to the Laws of Qatar, the family of the deceased may claim death compensation from the causer, if the death is due to work accident, traffic accident or murder.

If any worker dies while working due to the fault of any machinery, equipment, etc., then the sponsor of the deceased will pay work accident compensation claim. The claim has to be submitted directly to the sponsor. If any worker dies due to a traffic accident or is murdered, the actual causer of the incident / murderer has to pay death compensation. Police authorities after investigation will fix the percentage of responsibility and the compensation amount may differ accordingly. The death compensation claims are to be submitted to Shariah Court and the Shariah Court Judge will decide the amount. Those who wish to submit claim with Shariah Court should nominate any person known to them as their Attorney. The Ambassador of India / Embassy of India may also be given Power of Attorney to represent their case.

After hearing all sides, Shariah Court will deliver its verdict. On submission of verdict copy, Qatari Treasury (Baitul Mal) will release compensation amount. Normally most of the cases are being settled by Shariah court within a period of one year. However, in some cases it takes a few years due to some technicalities/ legal hurdles in the proceedings.

All compensation claimants should invariably submit (i) Legal Heirship Certificate (LHC) and (ii) Power of Attorney (POA) to the Shariah Court. Legal Heirship Certificate is being issued by Civil authorities (Revenue / Tehsil / Mandal) in India and Power of Attorney is to be executed by all the legal heirs of the deceased with Judicial authorities (Notary Public) in India.

Both the LHC and POA are to be attested further by (a) Home / General Admin. Department of respective State Governments, (b) Consular Section, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi and (c) the Indian Embassy in Doha. They are to be further attested with Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and submitted to the concerned Shariah Court for settlement of death compensation claim.

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