Dubai: Ashraf Palarakunnumal, 42, runs a small garage for heavy vehicles. But he is invariably on another calling.
The Ajman-based Keralite from India has taken it upon himself to do what few others would: complete death formalities for bereaved families, which can be painstaking and time-consuming in the UAE. Over the last 13 years he has helped repatriate 1,700 bodies from 38 nationalities across the seven emirates - no mean feat for a purely voluntary effort.
Bereaved families can’t thank him enough, but anyone who tries to offer him money for his services – or cover the cost of petrol at the least – is firmly turned away. On the contrary, Ashraf ends up spending an average of Dh100 on repatriating each body.
But the cost hardly matters. “Allah has given me a lot. I earn around Dh20,000 a month,” he says, adding jokingly, “I can probably make Dh50,000 if I accept what people give me, but I don’t do it for the money.”
He says a European family once offered him $5,000 (Dh18,365) in cash. “Last week, another family offered me Dh10,000, but there was no question of accepting the money.” Those who’ve used his services vouch for his selflessness.
Deepesh Chandra, owner of the Bluestar Supermarket in Sharjah, says: “Two months back, one of our sales staff died. We had no clue how to go about the lengthy paperwork to send his body home. But Ashraf helped us at every stage. ”
However, Chandra’s attempts to monetarily compensate him went in vain. “I tried very hard to give him a token of appreciation (Dh3,000) but he flatly refused.”
Nissar Thalangara of the Indian Association of Sharjah says he has known Ashraf for four years. “He is a Godsend for bereaved families in the UAE. People beg him to take money. They sometimes call me to prevail on him, but none has been successful so far.”
Ashraf claims his familiarity with the system helps him complete the formalities in a day. “I leave home at around 7am and come back only by 9 or 10pm. Thankfully, my wife and children are supportive.”
Ashraf says he has worked with people of 38 nationalities — “British, Italian, Turkish, Greek, Somali, Sudanese, Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, Irani, Bangladeshi. Sometimes, I don’t understand what they are saying but the work gets done” he smiles.
“I handle 25-30 cases a month now. People refer cases to me. I never say no. I will continue to serve till my last breath.”
