Can I travel with cremated remains (father's ashes) from USA to India?
Recently our beloved father passed away in the USA. We have already performed his cremation, and now we are planning to take the cremated remains to India. We don't know anything regarding the procedure.
Can we carry cremated remains while we travel to India?
What are the rules and regulations we must follow?
Best Answer
I would like to share my last year experience from San Francisco to New Delhi on Air India direct flight. My wife passed away last year and I also carried the cremated remains in my hand luggage.
I needed to get attested documents from Consulate General Of India San Francisco. This is the website: Consulate General Of India San Francisco
I just followed all the requirements and good news was I applied through mail, didn't need to go in person although you can apply in person as well. It took only 4 days to get all the supporting documents from the Indian Consulate.
Finally, we carried cremated remains in our hand luggage. So basically depending on your residence in USA, you may be able to get all your documents through courier.
Another option is you can cargo the cremated remains through different airlines as well.
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How can I bring ashes from USA to India?
Documents required for issue of permit to carry ashes:Can you take ashes on a plane to India?
Dead body or human remains of persons who may have died of yellow fever, plague, anthraglanders, or other diseases asspecified by Indian Government from time to time, shall not be carried except for properly cremated ashes. However, human remains of persons died due HIV+VE,Hepatitis-B & Hepatitis- C can be carried.Do you need permission to take ashes to India?
Taking Ashes to India To be able to transport cremated remains to India, you'll need the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Indian Embassy/Consulate in the UK.What Do I Need for Flying with Cremated Remains?
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Answer 2
A google search Human Ash Qatar Airways unearths this first result
They can carry humain remains as shipment and/or checked luggage and/or cabin luggage, depending upon type of remains, and will need a copy of death certificate, NOC from Indian Embassy in USA, Cremation Certificate (or embalming/coffin/relevant certificate), accompanying passenger bookings and few others.
Relevant Quote from above Qatar Airways Page:
Cremated human remains
Cremated human remains shall be accepted for carriage as checked baggage, provided that the passenger is in possession of all necessary documentation, including a certified copy of a death certificate, and the casket or urn containing the cremated remains is packed in a sealed outer box or case.
Cremated human remains can be accepted for carriage in the passenger cabin provided the state of origin does not classify it as restricted.
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