• •   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 kin.
• •   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 handle the following procedures and 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. 1. French Death Certificate (Acte de Décès) — issued by the local Mairie or Civil Registry
2. 2. Deceased’s Indian Passport (original)
3. 3. No Objection Certificate (NOC) — issued by the Embassy of India, Paris
4. 4. Embalming Certificate — confirming the body has been embalmed as per IATA standards
5. 5. Coffin Sealing Certificate — confirming the coffin has been hermetically sealed
6. 6. Airway Bill — cargo booking confirmation from the airline
7. 7. Post-mortem Report — if applicable (in cases of accidental or unexplained death)
8. 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 Mission has no objection to the repatriation of mortal remains to India.
• •   It is required by airlines and Indian customs/airport authorities for accepting and handling human remains.
• •   To obtain the NOC, the following documents must be submitted:
  • •  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 or 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 locations:
  • •  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 for repatriation to India.
• •   However, the Embassy cannot legally prevent local burial or cremation if medico-legal time limits have expired and no authorised representative has acted in time.
• •   The most effective way to prevent unintended local disposal is for the family to:
  • •  Contact the Embassy immediately
  • •  Appoint a funeral agency immediately
  • •  Inform relevant French authorities (hospital, IML, or municipality)

• •   Once all documentation is in place, repatriation can typically be arranged within one to two weeks.
• •   However, the actual timeline depends on several factors:
  • •  Whether a post-mortem (autopsy) is required, which may add several days or weeks
  • •  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 appoints and coordinates with the funeral agency

• •   Local cremation or burial in France is also a valid option and may be preferred in some cases (e.g., 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 or urgent Schengen visa citing compassionate grounds. The French consulate in India may expedite such cases.
• •   The Embassy of India, Paris can provide a supporting letter confirming the circumstances if required for the visa application.

• •   The Embassy will make all reasonable efforts to trace the next of kin using available records such as passport details, emergency contacts, and community contacts.
• •   If no family can be located or the family is unable to make 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 members.
• •   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, and 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

1. 1. Embassy of India, Paris — notify immediately and seek consular guidance
2. 2. Licensed Funeral Agency in France — appoint immediately to begin documentation and logistics
3. 3. Hospital / Morgue / Police — the funeral agency will handle this once appointed
4. 4. Family in India — inform and involve in decisions regarding repatriation vs. local disposal
5. 5. Airline / Cargo — coordinated by the funeral agency

• •  For consular matters and Embassy communications: contact the Consular Section (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 — 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 promptly.
• •   Air cargo availability — managed by the funeral agency; flexibility on timing helps reduce delays.
• •   Family delay in decision-making — quick and clear communication from the family speeds up the entire process.

• •   If family members in India or elsewhere cannot travel to France, they must:
  • •  Formally authorise the funeral agency to act on their behalf. A written authorisation or Power of Attorney may be required.
  • •  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 may provide introductory communication to French authorities where necessary, but a local representative (funeral agency) is required on the ground.
• •   If no family can be reached, the Embassy will coordinate with local Indian community organisations for assistance.

• •   Families should check the following sources for possible insurance coverage:
  • •  Travel insurance policy (if the deceased was travelling) — check policy documents or contact the insurer
  • •  Employer contract (for migrant or contract workers) — many employment contracts include repatriation coverage
  • •  Health or life insurance in France (assurance vie or assurance décès)
  • •  Credit card travel protection (some bank or credit cards include basic travel insurance)
• •   If insurance or employer coverage exists, it may be used to support repatriation costs.
• •   The funeral agency can assist in identifying and liaising with insurance companies — all known insurance details should be shared with them at the earliest stage.