RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2320
ANSWERED ON 12/03/2026
TRANSPORT OF MORTAL REMAINS FROM ABROAD
2320. DR. KANIMOZHI NVN SOMU
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of existing procedure for transporting mortal remains of Indians who have died in a foreign country;
(b) whether there is any request that the dead bodies of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) be sent to India free of cost; and
(c) if so, the steps taken by Government to support the families of deceased in transporting the mortal remains to India?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) The issue of transportation of mortal remains of Indian nationals who have died abroad to their hometowns in India is accorded the highest priority by the Ministry. There is a well-established mechanism/Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to coordinate with Indian Missions/Posts abroad to facilitate the transportation of the mortal remains of Indian nationals to their hometowns in India.
The consular wings of Indian Missions/Posts have designated desks dedicated for dealing with death cases of Indian nationals abroad and subsequent transportation of the mortal remains to India or local burial or cremation.
The transportation of Indians who die abroad, involves completion of certain formalities before the local authorities allow such body/bodies to be transported to India. In case the death is not natural, police investigations are to be completed. As soon as the information about the death of an Indian national comes to the knowledge of the concerned Indian Mission/Post abroad, they take proactive action by seeking a report from the local Foreign Office and other concerned authorities regarding the cause of the death of the Indian national. Our Missions/Posts abroad inform the next of kin of the deceased Indian national, and facilitate the transportation to India or local burial of mortal remains in accordance with the wishes of the family of the deceased.
Transportation of mortal remains of Indians involves the following steps:
i. Nomination of a person by the family to carry out, on their behalf, the formalities in the foreign country, in case they are unable to come to the foreign country to take over the mortal remain.
ii. Informing the Insurance Company (if any) by the authorized person/employer.
iii. Nomination of a transporter (in consultation with Insurance Company, if any) by the authorized person/employer.
iv. Obtain the copy of the FIR from the Police authorities, if applicable.
v. Complete the formalities relating to embalming, coffin and quarantine of the mortal remains as soon as possible by the transporter.
vi. Procurement of air ticket for transportation of mortal remains by the authorized person/ employer.
vii. The authorized person needs to obtain the documents - FIR, where applicable, Medical Certificate/Death Certificate, Original Passport, Embalming Certificate, Coffin Certificate, Quarantine Certificate, Authority Letter by the family, List of belongings, Air Way Bill (copy or detail information) and provide the original passport to the Embassy/Consulate for cancellation, upon which the Mission/Post issues the "Death Certificate and No Objection Certificate (NOC)”.
viii. Nomination of person by the family who will collect the mortal remains, on their behalf, at the Indian Airport, if required.
Indian Missions/Posts liaise with different authorities in the foreign country for seeking following documents for transportation of mortal remains:
i. Medical report / death certificate issued from the hospital concerned;
ii. Police report (with English translation, if report is in some other language), in case of accidental or unnatural death;
iii. Consent letter from next of kin of the deceased for local cremation / burial / transportation of mortal remains;
iv. Issuing of NOC by the Mission / Post for transportation or local cremation / burial as required;
v. Clearance and arrangements for embalming of mortal remains from the authorities concerned in the foreign country;
vi. Clearance from local immigration/ customs department.
These procedures differ from country to country depending upon the local regulations.
Specific requests for financial assistance for transportation of the mortal remains are examined by the Missions/Posts. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) set up in Indian Missions/Posts abroad caters to NRIs in times of distress and emergency, on a ‘means tested basis’ and also includes financial assistance for transportation of mortal remains.
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