Human Remains

Carriage of human remains

Air India Cargo carries the mortal remains of the deceased in two forms:

• Human remains as body (in coffins)
• Humans remains as ash (in urns)

While transporting the remains of your loved ones, it is important to ensure that certain arrangements are made in advance. Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind while requesting the carriage of human remains:

Documents required

• Death Certificate 
• Cremation Certificate (if body is being transported as ashes in an urn)
• Embalming Certificate (if body is being transported in a coffin)
• Local Police Clearance Certificate
• Cancelled passport
• Consular Certificate (from the office of the Consular of the nationality of the deceased)
• Copy of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) certificate (for foreign nationals expiring in India)
• Certificate of packaging of Human Remains as per WHO guidelines
• Certificate or endorsement by the consignee that the casket only contains the dead body or human remains of the person whose documents are presented for clearance to the airport health officer.

For more details related to documentation, you can contact us at - cargocare@airindia.com. You can also connect with us at +91 9667106666 (Charges may apply).

Note: All documents must be submitted in English. In case the documents are in a local language, a complete and accurate English translation must be provided by the shipper or person accompanying the deceased.

Guidelines for transporting cremated remains

• The deceased should be properly cremated, and the remains placed in a hermetically sealed urn or similar container.

• The urn should be securely cushioned using a strong outer carton or protective case to withstand handling and any possible spills due to breakage.

• For shipments handled through passenger-terminal security, prefer X-ray-transparent urn materials (wood, plastic, cardboard, or non-lead-lined ceramic). Security officers will not open urns; unscannable containers may be subject to alternative screening or checked-hold transport, as applicable.

• Marking and labelling should be in line with general cargo requirements.

• Documents required: Death Certificate; Cremation Certificate; any consular or public health clearances required by the origin, transit, or destination country (for carriage to India, see the MoHFW e-CARE portal).

  Unless otherwise specified by local law, documents should be in English or accompanied by complete and accurate English translations. For assistance, contact cargocare@airindia.com or +91 9667106666 (charges may apply).

Guidelines for transporting non-cremated remains

• Used coffins are not allowed for the transportation of human remains.

• The packing material used for the coffin should be strong enough to carry the weight.

• Marking and labelling should include: 

  • Name and address of the shipper/consignee
    
  • Handling instructions, if any
    
  • Head side identification
    
  • “This Way Up” label

Restrictions on carriage of human remains

Human remains of persons who have died of yellow fever, plague, anthrax and glanders, or other diseases as specified by the Government of India from time to time, will be carried only in funeral urns as properly cremated ashes. However, body of the deceased may be carried if the cause of death is due to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or if the person was tested positive for HIV. For more information on the carriage of human remains related to death due to infectious diseases and other details, you may read the document on Health Clearance of Human Remains from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. This applies to Indian nationals whose remains are brought to India. To understand more about the documentation, approvals, and other regulatory restrictions that apply while transporting the mortal remains of your loved one outside of India, you need to get in touch with us at - cargocare@airindia.com. You can also connect with us at +91 9667106666 (Charges may apply).