Options for Transporting a Dead Body In India

The one thing that all of us as a community experience is the demise of our loved ones. It's an experience that cannot be avoided, and it has the power to change our lives. When we experience loss we go through many emotions - grief, sorrow, anger, guilt, and regret are some of them. It can be a traumatic experience and change our entire outlook on life. The thing that we can rely on at such times is the support of each other.

Apart from the emotional turmoil, death brings with it a lot of other managerial responsibilities.

When a friend, relative, or family member passes away, there are many rituals and funeral rites to conduct. Informing the relatives, arranging for the mortuary van, samagri, priest, and much more. While it may feel overwhelming to arrange for everything, it is important to conduct these to bid a proper farewell.

Out of all the arrangements, the most crucial one is the arrangement of transport for the lost loved one. No matter where your loved one passed away, some or other transportation is necessary to carry the deceased to the last resting place. The transit will either be via road or plane.

To prepare for the unforeseen, each one of us should know about the services of dead body transport. For different situations, there are options to cater to particular needs. For urgent needs, one should have numbers and information saved of dead body transport service providers. Here are some options for transporting a dead body:

• Dead body transport by Road

The task of transporting the deceased whether short or long distances can be really difficult. Organizing a dignified farewell is mandatory and for that, you may need to transport your loved one to the required cremation/burial ground. Situations arise where you may want to conduct the rituals in cities or states that hold some emotional value for the lost one. 

Here are the options for dead body transport by road:

By Car: For short distances and to transport your loved one locally, one has the option of a hearse van. They are best suitable when you need to transport the deceased to the cremation/burial ground from the residence. A hearse is well maintained and is equipped with air conditioning and stretcher services. To make the ride comfortable a hearse comes with a professional driver and attendant for help. 

For longer distances and to transport your loved one within cities or states a mortuary van or an ambulance service is the best suited. Since transportation can take more than few hours the mortuary vans are installed with built-in freezer boxes. The temperature of the freezing system is as low as (-5 to -15) degree to stop the body from decomposing and maintain the freshness of your loved one. Service providers such as the Last Journey offer mortuary vans with freezing systems for a safe and comfortable last ride of your loved one.

By Train: Dead body transport by train is one of the most feasible options for long-distance transit of your loved one. Just like the services of a car, the mortuary van has a built-in freezing system with temperature controls so that the lost one stays fresh. The Indian railways have a vast network that connects the most remote places at less price. This allows easy and comfortable transportation of the deceased to the location of choice.

One important thing to know is that to transport a deceased by train embalming is mandatory. After embalming, the deceased will be taken to the station with the necessary documents. You should reach at least 2 hours before the departure of the train.

• Dead body transport by air

It is much easier to transport the loved one through a mortuary or hearse but when it comes to the transit of your loved one through the air it can be a complicated and as stressful task. We may not have the information or the necessary contacts for arranging the service. 

Dead body transport by air is available for both domestic and international travel. Here are the steps to follow to arrange for the same:

• Arrange clearances and documents for air cargo clearance

The documents required for clearances include-

• Clearance from hospital/death certificate
• No Objection Certificate from the local police station
• Embalming and Coffin box certificates
• Photo ID Card (Driving License/Passport/ Aadhar Card / Electoral ID Card)
• Passport Cancellation from the embassy
• NOC from the respective country consulate

• Arrange for air cargos services and book tickets

There are only particular air operators that provide dead body transport by air. Enquire about their services on call. Once you share your information they will share the available timings of the next flight. 

•  Arrange for Mortuary Services

Before the transportation of the loved one to the airport, one may have to keep the deceased in a mortuary facility. There are many public and government centres for doing the same. 

• Book ambulance or mortuary transport

Once all the certifications are ready book for a mortuary or ambulance to transport the loved one to the airport.

When it comes to the costing of dead body transport by air, the charges vary depending on many factors. The factors include the weight of the body, location of the destination, cost of embalming and coffin, ambulance and transportation costs, air cargo tickets and the taxes by the government. 

Understandably, the demise of a loved one is an overwhelming experience both emotionally and managerially. When one is already dealing with confusing emotions, arranging for the funeral service and transport of the deceased can seem to be a huge burden. You can take help from your family and friends or you can take the services of funeral providers. They arrange for everything ranging from the cremation ceremony to the Asthi Visarjan. The more you understand the rules and terminologies, the more in control one feels at such difficult times. Make the last ride of your loved one memorable!