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Funeral Homes Funeral Process

Repatriation of Mortal Remains to India

The process of transporting a deceased person’s body to India is referred to as body repatriation.
Below are the key steps and important information involved:

1

Select a Funeral Home

The chosen funeral home will coordinate with the hospital to obtain the required paperwork and initiate the process of issuing a death certificate.

A signature from the next of kin (such as a spouse or parent) will be required.
2

Documents Provided by the Funeral Home

The funeral home will assist in obtaining the following documents:

  • Death Certificate Issued by the county; processing typically takes 2–3 days.
  • Embalming Certificate
  • Burial/Transit Permit
  • Letter of Non-Contagious Disease
3

Consulate Attestation

All of the above documents must be attested by the Indian Consulate. This process usually takes one business day. You will need the following:

A duly filled Miscellaneous Services Form containing the deceased's details.

  • This form can be signed by the next of kin or a family member, mentioning their relationship to the deceased.

The original and copies of:

  • Death Certificate
  • Embalming Certificate
  • Burial/Transit Permit
  • Letter of Non-Contagious Disease

The original Indian passport of the deceased (along with a copy).

  • The passport will be canceled and returned.

Important Note:

  • For Indian citizens, there is no consulate fee.
  • For U.S. citizens, a fee of $60 + $2 application fee applies.
  • Refer to the Consulate's official website for up-to-date details.
4

Flight Arrangements

While the funeral home can begin coordinating with airlines, the actual booking will only proceed after consulate attestation is completed.

Estimated Time

3 to 7 business days

Estimated Cost

$9,500 to $11,000 (including airfare)

Charges may vary—please confirm with the funeral home for exact pricing.

Available Options

Option 1: Local Funeral Home (Dallas Area)

  • Assists with documentation (Step #2)
  • For consulate attestation (Step #3), check if they can expedite the process.
    • If not, a family member or volunteer must visit the Indian Consulate in Houston.

Option 2: Asian Funeral Home (New Jersey)

  • They manage the entire repatriation process with just the required signatures and payment.
Asian Indian Funeral Service

(732) 600-3043

75 Woodbridge Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904