Transportation of Mortal Remains of Indian Nationals

• In the event of the death of an Indian national in France, contact the Embassy of India, Paris immediately at oci.paris@mea.gov.in and cons.paris@mea.gov.in, Emergency contact number: +33 6 48 34 00 63.

Address: Embassy of India, 20–22 Rue Albéric Magnard, 75016 Paris

Website: https://www.eoiparis.gov.in    |    Consular Grievances: https://www.madad.gov.in

• Appoint a licensed funeral agency in France as early as possible. A suggestive list is enclosed which could be utilised by next of kins.

• Please note that, if the death occurred in a hospital, the hospital mortuary will hold the remains temporarily. If the death is sudden, accidental, or under unclear circumstances, French authorities (police or gendarmerie) will be involved and a post-mortem (autopsy) may be required — this can affect the timeline significantly.

• No. The Embassy has no role in appointing a funeral agency on behalf of the family or next of kins.

• The family or next of kin or a nominated person in France must select and appoint a licensed funeral agency in France.

• The Embassy can:

• Provide contact details of licensed funeral agencies operating in France
• Guide the family through the required process
• Liaise with French authorities on consular matters
• Issue necessary consular documents (e.g. No Objection Certificate)
• Assist in cases of financial hardship through ICWF subject to eligibility

• Once appointed by the family, the licensed funeral agency will pursue for the following procedure/certificates:

• Liaise with the hospital, morgue (e.g., Institut Médico-Légal), or police on behalf of the family
• Obtain the French death certificate (acte de décès) and all required official clearances
• Arrange embalming and coffin sealing as per international air transport standards
• Obtain the Embalming Certificate and Coffin Sealing Certificate
• Book air cargo for transportation of the coffin to India
• Coordinate with the receiving family in India and the Indian airport authority
• Obtain the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Embassy of India, Paris

• The funeral agency is the primary operational coordinator — their prompt appointment directly determines how quickly repatriation can begin.

Documents typically required:

1. French Death Certificate (Acte de Décès) — issued by the local Mairie or Civil Registry
2. Deceased's Indian Passport (original)
3. No Objection Certificate (NOC) — issued by the Embassy of India, Paris
4. Embalming Certificate — confirming the body has been embalmed as per IATA standards
5. Coffin Sealing Certificate — confirming the coffin has been hermetically sealed
6. Airway Bill — cargo booking confirmation from the airline
7. Post-mortem Report — if applicable (in cases of accidental or unexplained death)
8. Police clearance / judicial release — if applicable (in cases under investigation)

• The NOC is a consular document issued by the Embassy of India, Paris confirming that the Indian Mission has no objection to the repatriation of the mortal remains to India.

• It is required by airlines and Indian customs/airport authorities for accepting and receiving human remains.

• To obtain the NOC, the following must be submitted to the Embassy:

• Copy of French Death Certificate (with translation if required)
• Copy of deceased's Indian Passport
• Embalming Certificate
• Coffin Sealing Certificate
• Airway Bill / confirmed cargo booking details
• Application/request letter from the family or funeral agency

• The Embassy processes the NOC after verifying all submitted documents.

• Remains are generally kept at one of the following:

• The hospital mortuary where the deceased was treated
• Institut Médico-Légal (IML), Paris — in cases of sudden, accidental, or unexplained death
• A licensed funeral home (chambre funéraire) after release by hospital/IML

• The funeral agency coordinates collection from all such facilities.

• Storage at morgue facilities is generally time-limited — the family must act promptly to authorise collection and transfer.

• The Embassy can formally inform French authorities of the family's intention and request for repatriation to India.

• However, the Embassy cannot legally prevent authorities from proceeding with local burial or cremation if medico-legal time-frames have expired and no family member or authorised representative has come forward, or

• The most effective way to prevent unintended local disposal of remains is for the family to:

• Contact the Embassy immediately
• Appoint a funeral agency immediately
• Formally communicate their intentions to the relevant French authority (hospital, IML, or municipality)

• Once all documentation is in place, repatriation can typically be arranged within a week or two.

• However, the actual time-line depends on:

• Whether a post-mortem (autopsy) is required — which can add several days or weeks depending on the investigation
• Speed of police clearance and judicial release (if applicable)
• Availability of air cargo space on flights to India
• Speed of document processing by French authorities
• How quickly the family authorises and confirms with the funeral agency

• Local cremation or burial in France is also a valid option and may be preferred in some cases (e.g., for practical or financial reasons).

• In such cases, the family must:

• Notify the Embassy of their decision
• Work with the funeral agency for local arrangements
• Comply with French funeral and legal requirements

• ICWF assistance (see Guidelines) may also be available to support the cost of local cremation or burial in cases of financial hardship.

• Yes. Family members are permitted to travel to France to assist with formalities.

• However, they must apply for a French (Schengen) visa through the appropriate French visa application centre in India — the Embassy of India cannot issue French visas.

• Given the urgent nature of such travel, family members may apply for an emergency/urgent Schengen visa citing compassionate grounds — the French consulate in India may expedite such cases.

• The Embassy of India, Paris can provide a letter confirming the circumstances if required to support the visa application.

• The Embassy will make all reasonable efforts to trace the next of kin using available records (passport details, emergency contacts, community contacts).

• If no family can be located or the family is unable to make any arrangements, the Embassy may intervene to ensure dignified disposal of remains — depending on circumstances and ICWF fund availability.

• Consular officers may coordinate with local authorities, hospitals, and the Indian community to identify the deceased and notify family.

• All such cases are handled individually by the Embassy.

• The family in India (receiving party) must:

• Stay in contact with the funeral agency in France — they will share the flight details and Airway Bill number
• Arrange collection of the consignment from the designated cargo terminal at the arrival airport in India
• Carry all necessary documents: copy of Airway Bill, copy of deceased's passport, their own ID proof

• For customs clearance at Indian airports, the following are typically required:

• Original NOC from Embassy of India, Paris
• Airway Bill
• Embalming and Coffin Sealing Certificates
• Death Certificate

PART C — Coordination, Communication & Practical Guidance

Recommended sequence of contacts:

9. Embassy of India, Paris — notify immediately and seek consular guidance
10. Licensed Funeral Agency in France — appoint immediately to begin documentation and logistics
11. Hospital / Morgue / Police — the funeral agency will handle this once appointed
12. Family in India — inform and involve in decisions regarding repatriation vs. local disposal
13. Airline / Cargo — the funeral agency will coordinate this

Operational updates:

• For consular matters and Embassy communications: contact the Consular Section of the Embassy by email (oci.paris@mea.gov.in)

• For operational and logistical updates (flight booking, documentation, coffin status): contact the appointed funeral agency directly

• For consular grievances or escalation: use the Madad portal: https://www.madad.gov.in

• Delays in appointing a funeral agency — avoid by appointing immediately after the death is confirmed

• Post-mortem / judicial investigation — this is unavoidable if ordered by French authorities; the funeral agency will monitor progress

• Incomplete or missing documentation — avoid by working closely with the funeral agency who will guide document collection

• Delay in obtaining the NOC from the Embassy — avoid by submitting complete documents to the Embassy promptly

• Air cargo availability — the funeral agency will manage this; flexibility on departure date helps

• Family delay in making decisions — quick, clear communication and authorisation from the family speeds up every step

• If family members in India or elsewhere cannot travel to France, they must:

• Formally authorise the funeral agency to act on their behalf — this is done in writing (a Power of Attorney or authorisation letter may be required by the agency)
• Remain in close contact with the funeral agency by phone or email for all decisions
• Communicate directly with the Embassy Consular Section for any consular matters

• The Embassy can provide an introductory communication to French authorities where necessary, but the family must have a representative (the funeral agency) on the ground.

• If no family at all can be reached, the Embassy will coordinate with local Indian community organisations for assistance.

• Families should check the following sources for insurance coverage:

• Travel insurance policy (if the deceased was travelling) — check the policy documents or contact the insurer
• Employer contract (for migrant or contract workers) — many employment contracts include repatriation clauses
• Health or life insurance in France (assurance vie or assurance décès)
• Credit card travel protection (some bank/credit card accounts include basic travel insurance)

• If insurance or employer coverage exists, this may be utilised.

• The funeral agency can often help identify and liaise with insurance companies — mention any known insurance details to the agency upfront.

QUICK REFERENCE — Key Contacts & Documents

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