How to Transport a Dead Body by Air in India (2025 Guide)
Step-by-step help to move your loved one respectfully and lawfully by flight — within India — while you stay focused on family and prayers.
Short answer: To transport a dead body by air within India, get the doctor’s death certificate, police clearance, embalming and a sealed coffin, then book the coffin as air cargo on a flight. Swargayatraa can coordinate documents, embalming, coffin, airline booking, and receiver clearance end-to-end through our dead body transportation services across India so families can focus on last rites and togetherness.
Dead Body Transport by Air in One Glance
Minimum Requirements
- Death Certificate from doctor/authority
- Police NOC (preferred even for natural death)
- Embalming & Coffin Sealing Certificates
- ID proof of deceased and receiver
How It Moves
- Body embalmed and sealed in airtight coffin
- Booked as air cargo (not baggage)
- Loaded in aircraft hold safely
- Receiver collects at destination cargo terminal
Who Helps
- Hospital mortuary and local police
- Authorized embalmer or undertaker
- Airline cargo desk
- Swargayatraa coordinators handle everything
When Do You Need to Transport a Body by Air?
Far From Hometown
When death occurs in a different state and final rites are planned in the native place.
Time-Sensitive
Families need the body within hours instead of days for rituals and gathering.
Better Preservation
Air transport reduces time and exposure, maintaining dignity and safety during movement.
Step-by-Step Process for Domestic Air Transport
Obtain Death Certificate
Issued by the doctor or hospital and registered with the municipal authority. It is the base document for all further steps.
Police Clearance
Collect NOC from local police station (especially for inter-state movements or non-natural deaths).
Move to Mortuary & Embalm
Preserve the body and obtain an official Embalming Certificate from a licensed embalmer. For more details, see our guide on how to prepare a deceased body for air travel.
Prepare Coffin & Sealing
Place the embalmed body in an airline-compliant coffin and get a Coffin Sealing Certificate.
Compile Documents
Keep copies of Death Certificate, Police NOC, Embalming and Coffin Certificates, and IDs of deceased and receiver.
Arrange Ambulance to Airport
Book a hearse or freezer ambulance and reach cargo terminal 3–4 hours before departure.
Book Cargo & Get Air Waybill
Declare as “Human Remains of (Name)”, submit documents, and collect Air Waybill for tracking.
Receiver Collects at Destination
The receiver shows ID and Air Waybill at cargo terminal to collect the coffin and arrange final rites.
Documents Required for Air Transport Within India
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Cost and Time Estimates for 2025
Typical Costs
- Airline cargo charges ≈ ₹20 – ₹30 per kg (100–150 kg avg)
- Embalming ≈ ₹5,000 – ₹15,000
- Coffin ≈ ₹10,000 – ₹25,000
- Ambulance/hearse ≈ ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 per trip
- Service & coordination variable by city
For a deeper breakdown of pricing and when to choose road vs air, read our blog on dead body air & road transport in India (price from ₹25k).
Time Frames
- Most domestic cases complete within 24–48 hours
- Faster if documents and flights align same day
- Delays possible on weekends or police cases
How It Works Across Major Indian Cities
✈️ Bengaluru
Kempegowda Airport — high inter-state traffic; Swargayatraa handles mortuary, police and cargo coordination through our dead body transportation services in Bangalore, including door-to-door options till the last point.
✈️ Mumbai
Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport — large hub with night slots and dedicated cargo teams. We also understand local issues deeply; see our blog on challenges of dead body transportation in Mumbai and our Mumbai dead body transport services.
✈️ Delhi & NCR
Indira Gandhi Airport — Swargayatraa co-ordinates with cargo and airport health authorities for quick clearance via our dead body transportation services in Delhi, including local movement up to the last point in NCR.
✈️ Hyderabad
Rajiv Gandhi Airport — smooth outer-ring access and Telugu/English documents supported. Learn more on our dead body transportation in Hyderabad page.
✈️ Chennai
Chennai Airport — humid climate demands quick embalming; Swargayatraa handles door-to-door coordination up to the last point in the city or nearby towns through dead body transportation services in Chennai.
✈️ Pune & Kolkata
Pune often routes via Mumbai; Kolkata covers eastern India with regional language support. See dead body transportation services in Pune and dead body transportation services in Kolkata for local details.
We also serve other key cities such as Jaipur and Lucknow under our pan-India dead body transport network, including town and village drop-offs wherever feasible.
Family Checklist Before Booking Air Transport
Get instant guidance and arrange coordinators on call.
Request typed copies wherever possible for easy airline verification.
Especially for non-natural deaths or inter-state transfers; keep FIR/NOC copies safely.
Confirm which family member will receive the body and which airport is closest to the hometown or final rites location.
Shift the body respectfully, keep bills and certificates together in one folder.
Ensure the coffin is airline-approved with proper sealing and labelling.
Swargayatraa can coordinate with airline cargo, fill forms, and get Air Waybill issued.
Receiver should carry ID, reach cargo terminal early, and arrange local hearse/ambulance till the last point.
Once the body reaches home, village or crematorium, families can focus fully on rituals and goodbyes.
Common Mistakes Families Should Avoid
Last-Minute Document Work
Many families reach the airport and then realise a paper is missing. Airlines are very strict for human remains, and even one missing certificate can delay the flight.
- Keep all documents in one clear folder.
- Carry at least one photocopy set along with originals.
- Share a copy with the receiver by WhatsApp or email.
Booking Passenger Tickets First
Passengers sometimes book their own tickets and then discover there is no cargo space on that flight for the coffin.
- Always check cargo availability first.
- Book passenger tickets only after cargo is confirmed.
- Let Swargayatraa coordinate both sides to avoid mismatch.
Trying to Send as Baggage
Human remains cannot be sent as normal baggage or cabin luggage under airline and health rules. It must go as registered air cargo.
- Use proper coffin, embalming and sealing.
- Mention clearly “Human Remains of (Name)” in forms.
No Receiver Plan at Destination
Sometimes families forget that the most critical part is at the destination cargo terminal. To understand typical problems, read our guide on common challenges in dead body transportation by air.
- Decide one responsible receiver with ID proof.
- Arrange local hearse or ambulance in advance.
- Keep cremation slot or burial arrangements ready.
How Swargayatraa Handles Air Transport End-to-End
Our compassionate dead body transportation services across India are designed so that one call is enough to activate full coordination — from hospital door to the last point in your hometown.
1. Immediate Phone Support
Our coordinators first listen to your situation calmly, note down hospital, police and city details, and suggest the best route — road plus air, or direct air cargo.
2. Hospital, Mortuary & Police Coordination
We speak with hospital staff, help with post-mortem or non-post-mortem procedures, and guide you on how to obtain Death Certificate and Police NOC faster.
3. Embalming & Coffin Arrangements
Our panel embalmers and undertakers prepare the body with dignity, arrange an airline-compliant coffin, and issue Embalming and Coffin Sealing Certificates.
4. Airline Cargo Booking
We coordinate with airline cargo desks, check flight options, share document copies, and confirm cargo booking with Air Waybill details shared to both ends.
5. Airport-to-Airport & Door-to-Door Logistics
From hearse/freezer ambulance at origin to transport at destination, Swargayatraa aligns timings, driver contact, and cargo gate entry so the body can be moved right up to the last point (home, village, crematorium or burial ground).
6. Support at Destination
We guide receivers on where to go inside the cargo complex, how to complete formalities, and can also connect them to local funeral and cremation services.
Frequently Asked Questions on Dead Body Transport by Air
These are the most common questions Indian families ask us when planning to move a loved one by flight within India.
Basics & Eligibility
Basic doubts about whether air transport is possible for your case and how it works in simple terms.
1. Can we carry a dead body as cabin baggage or normal check-in baggage?＋
No. Human remains are not allowed as cabin baggage or normal checked-in baggage. Airlines treat it as a special category and accept it only as registered air cargo in a properly embalmed and sealed coffin, with full documentation.
2. Is it possible to transport a body by air from any city in India?＋
In most cases yes, if there is an airport that accepts cargo in that city or a nearby major city. Sometimes we move the body by road to the nearest cargo-enabled airport and then by air to the destination. Our pan-India service page explains the coverage in detail.
3. Is there any age or medical condition where air transport is not allowed?＋
There is no age bar. However, in certain infectious disease cases, additional clearances may be needed or movement may be restricted as per health department or airline rules. Swargayatraa will always follow the latest health and airport guidelines.
Documents & Legal Rules
Paperwork, police and legal requirements that are usually compulsory for airlines and authorities.
4. Is embalming compulsory for domestic air transport?＋
In almost all practical cases, yes. Airlines and airport health authorities usually insist on embalming and a sealed coffin for safety and hygiene, especially for inter-state or long-duration flights. It also protects the body during unexpected delays. For the exact steps, see our article on preparing a deceased body for air travel.
5. Is Police NOC needed even for natural death?＋
For purely natural deaths inside hospitals, some cities process transport with basic documents. However, for inter-state air movement and whenever there is any doubt, airlines and local authorities strongly prefer a Police NOC.
We normally advise families to take Police NOC once and avoid any confusion at the airport.
6. What documents should the receiver carry at the destination airport?＋
The receiver should carry:
- Original ID proof (Aadhaar / PAN / Driving Licence, etc.).
- Copy of Air Waybill.
- Mobile number shared with Swargayatraa and cargo staff.
We usually send document copies on WhatsApp also, so the receiver has everything in the phone as backup.
7. What extra documents are needed if post-mortem or police case is involved?＋
For post-mortem or medico-legal cases, authorities may ask for:
- FIR copy or station diary entry.
- Post-mortem report or at least preliminary note.
- Specific Police NOC mentioning permission for air transport.
Our team will guide you based on the actual case type and city rules.
Flights, Costs & Timing
Questions related to charges, duration and how flight schedules affect the movement.
8. How long does the complete domestic air transport usually take?＋
Most domestic cases are completed within 24–48 hours, including documents, embalming, coffin, cargo booking, and movement to hometown. If documents are already ready and flights are available, it can even happen on the same day.
9. Roughly how much does air transport within India cost?＋
Charges vary by sector, airline and weight. As a rough idea:
- Cargo charges: around ₹20–₹30 per kg (100–150 kg average weight considered by airlines).
- Embalming and coffin: roughly ₹15,000–₹40,000 combined, based on coffin type.
- Ambulance / hearse: normally ₹2,000–₹5,000 per trip in most cities.
See our detailed breakdown in the blog on dead body air & road transport in India (price from ₹25k).
10. Can family members travel in the same flight as passengers?＋
Yes, family members can travel in the same flight as passengers, but the body will still go as cargo from the cargo terminal. Passenger tickets are separate from cargo booking, so timing needs coordination.
We usually check cargo timing first and then help you align passenger tickets accordingly.
11. What happens if the flight is delayed or cancelled?＋
Minor delays are usually manageable because the body is embalmed and sealed. If a flight is cancelled, airlines shift the shipment to a later flight, subject to availability.
Our coordinators stay in touch with cargo staff and keep both families updated about the new expected timing.
Cities, Routes & Coverage
Doubts about from where and to where Swargayatraa can arrange air transport.
12. Which Indian cities does Swargayatraa support for air transport?＋
13. Can you also help if the body has to come into my city from another state?＋
Yes. We often manage two-way coordination – one Swargayatraa team (or partner team) at the origin city and one at the receiving city. This makes airport-to-home or airport-to-crematorium handling much smoother for the family.
Swargayatraa Services & Support
How our team works, what is included, and how flexible the services are.
14. Can Swargayatraa help only with airline cargo, if we handle other things?＋
Yes. Families can choose:
- Complete end-to-end package (documents, embalming, coffin, cargo, ambulances, local funeral help).
- Or support at specific stages, for example only airline cargo coordination or only local ambulance and coffin.
We customise the support based on what your family needs. You can see our standard offerings on the dead body transportation services across India page.
15. What if the death happens late night or on a festival / holiday?＋
Our helpline and on-ground teams work 24×7 as far as possible. Some government counters may open only in working hours, but we start everything that can be done immediately — body shifting, mortuary, basic documentation, and next-morning follow-ups with authorities.
Calling early means we can save you many hours of confusion and running around.
Before You Start Running Around, Check These 4 Points
If you can answer these four questions, we can quickly guide you on the exact documents, route and cost within a few minutes on call.
- Where is your loved one right now? (hospital / home / mortuary and city name)
- Do you know which city and which airport the body has to reach, and final last point (home / village / crematorium)?
- Has a doctor given a death certificate or any hospital summary?
- Is it a natural death or police / post-mortem case?
Our coordinator will tell you the fastest and safest way to move your loved one by air, along with approximate cost and time — including door-to-door options wherever possible.
