Mortuary Van, Ambulance or Hearse Van – Which Is Right for Dead Body Transport in India?
Most families hear many terms at once: mortuary van, hearse van, dead body ambulance, freezer van. This guide explains in very simple language which vehicle you actually need in different situations, so you do not waste time or money.
Short answer: Use a mortuary van / dead body ambulance for most emergency movements like hospital to home or home to cremation. Use a hearse van when you want a more formal last journey with flowers and family following. For long distance or hot weather, upgrade to a freezer-box mortuary van so the body stays cool. If you are confused between road rules and documents, you can also read our detailed road transport rules guide for 2025.
What Do “Mortuary Van”, “Dead Body Ambulance” and “Hearse Van” Actually Mean?
Mortuary Van / Dead Body Ambulance
A mortuary van (also called a dead body ambulance) is an air-conditioned vehicle with a stretcher and fittings to secure the body.
- Best for hospital to home or home to cremation within the city.
- Can also be used for nearby town journeys.
- Focus: safe, clean and quick transport.
Hearse Van
A hearse van is often more formal or decorated and used for the final ceremonial journey.
- Space for coffin or body tray and flowers.
- Used for slow processions and final rites.
- Focus: dignity and tradition for last ride.
Freezer-Box Mortuary Van
This is a mortuary van with a built-in freezer box that keeps the body at around 0–5°C.
- Ideal for long distance or hot-weather travel.
- Helps when relatives need time to arrive.
- Focus: strong preservation during journey.
All three are part of dead body transport by road. If you want step-by-step rules for distance, police and permits, our road transport guide explains this in detail.
When to Choose Mortuary Van vs Hearse Van vs Ambulance
Use a Mortuary Van / Dead Body Ambulance When…
- You are taking the body from hospital to home.
- You are moving from home to cremation / burial.
- The distance is within the city or nearby town.
- Time is less and family needs a fast, clean vehicle.
Use a Hearse Van When…
- You are planning the final journey with relatives walking or following.
- You want the body to be visible with flowers or garlands.
- The route is known and mostly inside the city.
- Rituals or prayers will happen along the way.
Use a Freezer-Box Van When…
- You are travelling many hours or crossing states by road.
- The weather is very hot or humid.
- Relatives will join later and you must wait.
- There may be delays at tolls or check-posts.
Distance, Weather & Cooling – How They Change Vehicle Choice
Short Distance (Within One City)
- Distance usually 10–50 km.
- Time mostly 1–3 hours including loading.
- AC mortuary van or dead body ambulance is usually enough.
- Use ice packs under and around the body if no freezer.
For short city moves, families mainly care about speed, cleanliness and respectful handling. A simple mortuary van does the job well.
Long Distance & Hot Weather
- Distance can be 100–1,000+ km.
- Time from 4–16 hours or more.
- Freezer-box mortuary van is safest, especially in summer.
- Plan for driver rest, fuel and food stops.
For very long routes or when you are also considering air transport, you can read our combined air and road price breakdown from around ₹25k and the air vs road comparison guide.
If you are unsure how long a body can be kept before any kind of transport, our separate article on how long a dead body can be preserved gives clear time ranges and options.
Documents Needed Before Booking Any Vehicle
Vehicle choice is important, but documents are more important. Without basic papers, even the best mortuary van cannot move the body legally.
Must-Have Papers
- Doctor’s Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) – Form 4 (hospital) or Form 4A (home).
- ID proof of the deceased (Aadhaar, PAN, etc.).
- ID proof of a close relative or authorised person.
Police & Legal (If Applicable)
- FIR / inquest papers for medico-legal cases.
- Post-mortem report if done.
- Police NOC or body release letter, especially for inter-state transport or suspicious deaths.
Extra Papers
- Hospital body release slip for hospital deaths.
- Transit or body permit from local authority (if issued).
- Simple authorisation letter if a non-family member is handling transport.
For a detailed, print-friendly list of documents for cremation and body transport, see our documents required after death for cremation or body transport (2025 guide). For police steps in complicated cases, you can read our police procedure when a death happens at home in India.
Mortuary Van, Hearse Van & Freezer Van Costs in India (2025)
Typical Cost Ranges
- Mortuary van / dead body ambulance (within city): approx. ₹1,000–₹5,000.
- Hearse van (city or ~100 km): approx. ₹8,000–₹15,000.
- Freezer-box mortuary van (long distance): approx. ₹20,000–₹50,000+ depending on km and tolls.
- Freezer box at home (daily): separate rental, usually charged per day or per 12 hours.
What Changes the Price?
- Total one-way distance and if the vehicle must return empty.
- Vehicle size, brand and whether it is a simple van or premium hearse.
- Night charges, tolls, parking and driver allowance.
- Extra helper charges for buildings without lift or narrow access.
These are broad 2025 ranges based on typical Indian cities. For a deeper breakdown of how air and road pricing works together, our air and road transport price explainer can help you plan budget.
Common Mistakes Families Make When Choosing Vehicles
Vehicle & Cooling Mistakes
- Choosing a simple AC van for a very long or hot journey instead of a freezer van.
- Booking only on price without checking vehicle condition and cleanliness.
- Not asking if a helper is included for lifting in tight staircases.
- Trying to use a normal ambulance or private car in serious cases, which can create hygiene and legal issues.
Process & Document Mistakes
- Booking vehicle before getting doctor’s certificate and basic papers.
- Starting inter-state journey without clear police NOC in medico-legal cases.
- Not telling the provider about police involvement or special case history.
- Not informing the crematorium or burial ground about expected arrival time.
If you must arrange many things in very little time, our “arrange a funeral in 2 hours” quick emergency guide shows a simple order of steps for transport, documents and rituals.
How Swargayatraa Helps You With Mortuary Van, Hearse Van & Ambulance in India
Most families search in panic for “dead body transport near me” or “mortuary van service India” and get confused between a normal ambulance, hearse van and mortuary van with freezer. Swargayatraa acts as a single, calm support system so that you do not have to coordinate vehicles, documents and timings alone.
1. One Call for Full Case Understanding
- We listen first and note where the body is now (home / hospital / mortuary and city / area).
- We ask whether it is a natural death or medico-legal case (accident, suicide, sudden, etc.).
- We confirm if you need only short city movement or intercity / interstate transport.
- We check if relatives are still travelling so we can plan for freezer van or waiting at home.
2. Clear Guidance on Documents & Police
- We explain in simple words which doctor’s certificate / MCCD Form 4 or 4A you need.
- We guide you on documents required after death for cremation and body transport.
- For medico-legal cases, we help you understand the usual flow of FIR, post-mortem and police NOC / body release (final authority is always with doctors and police).
- We help you match document timing with vehicle arrival so there is no long delay at hospital or mortuary.
If you want to read more, you can follow our guides on doctor’s certificate & MCCD at home, documents required after death and police procedure when a death happens at home.
3. Correct Vehicle Suggestion for Your Situation
- Within the same city: we suggest a clean dead body ambulance / mortuary van for direct movement from hospital to home or crematorium.
- Ceremonial final journey: we suggest a hearse van service that can carry a coffin and flowers with space for close relatives.
- Long-distance or intercity: we recommend a mortuary van with freezer or AC hearse with a proper freezer box.
- We check road conditions and timing (day / night) to choose the safest option for the family.
4. Nationwide “Near Me” Support
- We support families in major metros like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata and many Tier-2 / Tier-3 cities through a trusted network.
- Instead of you searching “dead body transport near me” again and again, our team quickly checks which vehicle and team is closest.
- We coordinate directly with local partners so you do not have to explain the same story to multiple vendors.
You can also see our dedicated pages on dead body transportation by road and pros and cons of dead body transport by road.
5. Hygiene, Safety & Respectful Handling
- Vehicles are sanitised, cleaned and checked for odour control regularly.
- Our teams use gloves and basic protective gear during lifting and shifting.
- The body is covered properly, placed on a stretcher and secured with belts to avoid movement.
- We strongly prefer freezer vans or strong AC plus ice packs for longer journeys to maintain dignity and safety.
6. Transparent Charges & Emotional Support
- We share clear breakup of vehicle charges, extra freezer hours, tolls and driver / helper costs.
- No hidden add-ons after the journey; any extra charges (tolls, waiting) are explained before billing.
- Our coordinators speak in simple Indian English and local languages wherever possible, keeping the conversation calm and respectful.
- Even if you finally decide another option (for example, air transport), our team will still explain the process to you.
Swargayatraa’s Typical Support Flow for Your Family
You Call or WhatsApp the Helpline
Share four details: where the body is now, natural or medico-legal case, which documents you already have, and where you want to take the body. We give an immediate verbal plan and an approximate cost range.
We Lock Documents, Vehicle & Timing
We confirm whether you need mortuary van, hearse van, dead body ambulance or freezer van, align document readiness (MCCD, police NOC, hospital letters) and assign a trained driver and helper.
We Coordinate Till Final Handover
Our team stays in touch during the journey, helps manage any small issues on road, and makes sure handover at home, mortuary or crematorium is smooth with all papers in order.
Swargayatraa provides nationwide 24×7 mortuary vans, hearse vans, AC freezer vans and dead body ambulances for all types of body transport across India. One call is enough for our team to start guiding you on vehicles, documents and next steps in clear, simple language.
Emergency Vehicle Choice Checklist – Print & Share
Print 1-Page Vehicle Checklist
Print a single-page summary of how to choose between mortuary van, hearse van and freezer-box van so everyone in the family follows the same plan.
Share This Guide on WhatsApp
Send this guide to relatives or coordinators on WhatsApp so no one is confused about which vehicle to book for dead body transport.
Copy Link for SMS / Email
Copy the guide URL in one click and paste it into SMS, email or any family group where you are planning transport.
Mortuary Van vs Hearse vs Ambulance – Emergency Vehicle Checklist (India 2025)
Use this quick checklist when you must decide which vehicle to book for dead body transport by road.
- Confirm death and get the doctor’s Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (Form 4/4A).
- Check case type: natural vs accident / suspicious. Inform police and collect their body release papers for medico-legal cases.
- Note distance & route: same city, nearby town or inter-state highway; estimate hours of travel.
- Check weather & timing: hot day, night drive, traffic or any expected delays.
- If short distance inside city: book a mortuary van / dead body ambulance.
- If formal last journey with flowers: book a hearse van for the final ride.
- If long distance or hot weather: book a freezer-box mortuary van with proper preservation.
- Confirm details with provider: cooling (AC / freezer), helper for lifting, total cost including tolls and return.
Note: Rules and charges can change by state and city. Always follow the final advice of your local doctor, police and funeral provider.
Frequently Asked Questions on Mortuary Vans, Hearse Vans & Dead Body Ambulances
These FAQs focus on real doubts Indian families have when choosing between different dead body transport vehicles.
Vehicle Types & When to Use Them
Understand what each vehicle is meant for and when it is the right choice.
1. What is a mortuary van and how is it different from a normal ambulance?＋
A mortuary van, also called a dead body ambulance, is prepared only for deceased persons. It has a stretcher or platform, straps or rails to secure the body, and an AC cabin. A normal ambulance is meant for live patients and has oxygen, monitors and space for doctors. For respect and hygiene, it is better to use a mortuary van for dead body transport.
2. When should we choose a hearse van instead of a mortuary van?＋
Choose a hearse van when you want a more ceremonial last journey, with the body in a coffin or glass cabin, decorated with flowers, and relatives walking or following in vehicles. For pure emergency movement between places, a mortuary van is usually simpler and cheaper.
3. Do we always need a freezer-box mortuary van?＋
No. For short city journeys of a few hours, a good AC mortuary van with ice packs is usually enough. A freezer-box mortuary van becomes important when the distance or delay is long, the weather is hot, or relatives will take many hours to reach before final rites.
Costs, Booking & Documents
Money, paperwork and who can book vehicles for the family.
4. Who is allowed to book a mortuary van or hearse van?＋
Usually a close relative or legal heir books the vehicle. That person can also authorise a funeral home like Swargayatraa by phone or written note. Hospitals release the body either to a family member or to an authorised funeral provider with proper ID.
5. What questions should we ask before confirming price?＋
Ask if the rate is one-way or includes return, how many kilometres are covered, whether tolls and parking are extra, if night charges apply, whether a helper is included, and if the vehicle has AC or freezer. You can then compare this clearly with other quotes or with our air + road price guide.
6. What documents must we show the driver or hospital before moving the body?＋
Hospitals may ask for the doctor’s death certificate (MCCD), hospital discharge or death summary and ID proofs. In medico-legal cases, they also ask for police body release papers. Keeping photocopies ready makes both loading and checks smoother. For a complete list, see our documents required after death guide.
Swargayatraa Support
How Swargayatraa fits into your overall transport and funeral plan.
7. Can Swargayatraa help if the case involves police or post-mortem?＋
Yes. Swargayatraa can guide you on the usual flow of police procedure, post-mortem, body release and then vehicle booking. While final decisions rest with the police and doctors, having an experienced funeral team reduces confusion and repeated trips to the station or hospital.
8. How does Swargayatraa decide which vehicle to send?＋
Our team asks a few simple questions: where the body is now, destination, case type (natural vs medico-legal), distance, weather and whether you plan a formal last journey. Based on this, we suggest mortuary van, hearse or freezer van and explain cost and timing clearly before confirmation.
9. Can the same provider also help with rituals and other arrangements?＋
In many cities, Swargayatraa not only arranges vehicles but also supports with cremation slot booking, prayer materials and priest coordination depending on family preference. You can start with only transport and later add more help once the emergency is under control.
10. What if we first booked a simple mortuary van and later want a hearse for final journey?＋
This is common. Many families first move the body home in a mortuary van and later, once relatives gather, book a hearse van for the final journey to the crematorium. Swargayatraa can coordinate both, along with road rules covered in our road transport rulebook.
4 Details to Share So We Can Suggest the Right Vehicle Fast
If you share these four points on call or WhatsApp, Swargayatraa can quickly tell you whether you need a mortuary van, hearse van, dead body ambulance or freezer van.
- Where is your loved one right now? (home / hospital / mortuary + city and area)
- What is the case type? Natural illness or accident / medico-legal with police involvement.
- What distance must we cover? Same city, nearby town or another state by road.
- How much time do relatives need? Already present, coming in few hours or coming next day.
Our team will suggest the right vehicle, explain documents and costs in simple language and help you plan a safe, respectful journey.
