Dubai introduces a unified Jabr system designed to simplify formalities and support families by reducing administrative and emotional burdens they face after the loss of a loved one, ensuring smoother post-death procedures.
Dubai introduces centralized Jabr system to ease responsibilities for families following the passing of relatives
A new platform designed to assist families during the loss of a loved one has been introduced by the Dubai Health Authority. Its purpose is to simplify procedures, speed up services, and offer greater compassion during an emotionally challenging period.
Through the Jabr initiative, families no longer have to go from one government office to another to complete various formalities. Instead, a specialised Government Service Officer will oversee all required steps, including preparing official documents, organising burial or international repatriation, and coordinating directly with every concerned body.
This dedicated officer will now manage the entire process on behalf of grieving families, who previously had to visit several departments for approvals. All procedures and transactions will be completed through seamless coordination among all relevant authorities, ensuring that families experience less stress during such delicate moments.
The integrated digital platform will also dispatch automatic alerts to all concerned government entities as soon as a death is officially recorded. This enables departments to begin their tasks immediately, ensuring services are arranged in advance and delivered without delay. As a result, families are given more time and emotional space to focus on healing, mourning, and supporting one another.
Additionally, the steps required to transport the deceased or send them to their home country—if the family prefers—have been significantly streamlined. The time needed to complete funeral arrangements, burial preparation, and condolence-related services has also been greatly reduced, helping ensure that families receive a quicker, smoother, and more dignified response during an extremely difficult time.
Lowering the financial load
This updated system forms part of the ‘City Makers’ programme, which focuses on reshaping unified government services. It aims to ease the financial strain on grieving families while improving the process for burials and sending mortal remains abroad.
Beyond handling official paperwork, the service also offers emotional, social, and supportive assistance to families before, during, and after the mourning period.
Dr. Alawi AlSheikh-Ali, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority, noted that the initiative ensures families facing loss receive genuine attention, care, and practical guidance. He added that the project reflects Dubai’s commitment to making people the heart of all government plans, services, and actions.
Automatic creation of death certificates
Majid Al Muhairi, Jabr System spokesperson and Director of IT at DHA, explained that the new platform automatically generates a death certificate and sends it to all required departments, preventing any organisation from asking the family to provide it again.
This allows every service to be carried out quickly and smoothly by the appointed Government Service Officer, who also manages other formalities and provides social care and support before and after the condolence period.
The unified Jabr platform was designed to give families full psychological and community support, helping them deal with and recover from such difficult circumstances.
Main Elements of the Jabr Platform
Dedicated Service Officer for every family:
A specialised officer oversees everything, including burial arrangements and international repatriation, while updating families at every step. All procedures begin immediately after a death is recorded, with no applications needed.
Condolence tents and community support:
For Emirati families, an additional condolence tent equipped with hospitality services is provided for the three-day mourning period. Over 70 locations are prepared for this purpose. Expat families receive assistance through approved community organisations and religious institutions. A trained team reviews each family’s personal situation and offers help when necessary.
Emotional and spiritual guidance:
KHDA has trained 230 school counsellors to support students dealing with the loss of a relative. Religious advisors from IACAD are also available to provide optional sermons and spiritual guidance to families.
Complete digital alignment:
All government bodies receive immediate alerts through a single smart platform. A unified payment system decreases the number of transactions and fees families must manage.
Automatic inheritance procedures:
Dubai Courts will open an estate file automatically once the death certificate is issued. Relevant authorities will proactively document assets so heirs can finalise inheritance paperwork easily, including the Sharia-based heirship certificate.
Enhanced funeral services:
IACAD has prepared more than 130 trained volunteers to wash and shroud the deceased. A dedicated shrouding kit has been created, and cemetery facilities have been upgraded to make funeral services quicker, smoother, and more efficient.
