Documents Required After Death for Cremation or Body Transportation in India (2025 Guide)
Exactly which papers are needed, who issues them, and when to present them — for cremation, inter-city road transfer, or flights. Clear, calm, and up-to-date.
Pinned: Minimum Required Documents
A) Cremation — Minimum
- MCCD (Form 4/4A)
- Aadhaar/ID of deceased
- Applicant/kin ID
- Municipal permit (city-specific)
B) Road Transport — Minimum
- MCCD (Form 4/4A)
- Aadhaar of deceased
- Police NOC (advised inter-state)
- Freezer box / embalming (as needed)
C) Flight (Natural / Post-Mortem)
- MCCD or post-mortem COD
- Police NOC (+ FIR if MLC)
- Embalming certificate
- Coffin sealing/packing certificate
- Consignee ID + AWB
Airline acceptance needs embalming + sealed coffin + documents; reach cargo 90–120 minutes before cut-off.
Quick Summary — Documents at a Glance
Core Documents — What, Why, Who, When
MCCD (Form 4/4A)
The doctor’s statement of cause and time of death. Mandatory to move the body and to initiate municipal processes. Verify spelling of name/age before leaving the hospital.
- Issued by treating doctor / RMP
- Collect same day
- Use for cremation permit & death registration
Death Certificate
Official legal proof under the RBD Act (1969). Needed for banks, insurance, property, pension, etc. Apply with MCCD + cremation/burial slip. Prefer within 21 days to avoid late steps.
- Issued by municipal Registrar
- 5–15 days typical
- Get 3+ originals
Police NOC / FIR
NOC is required for medico-legal cases and commonly for air transport. FIR copy is referenced for accidents/un-natural deaths and for post-mortem body release.
- Issued by local police
- Same-day target
- Carry copies during transport
Municipal Permit
City authorization to perform cremation/burial (common in metros). Get it at ward/health office by showing MCCD and IDs; some cities allow online tokens.
Embalming & Coffin Certificates
Mandatory for flights; strongly advised for very long road journeys. Airlines verify embalming and packing certificates before issuing AWB.
Cremation/Burial Slip
Proof that final rites were performed; often asked when issuing the municipal death certificate or for later administrative needs.
Step-by-Step: Cremation — Universal Admin Flow
- Get MCCD from doctor/hospital; check spellings.
- Report to ward/ULB if your city requires a permit/token.
- Book crematorium (token/slot); arrange hearse & simple materials.
- Carry docs: MCCD, deceased’s ID, your ID, municipal permit (if applicable).
- Perform rites and collect the cremation slip/certificate.
- Register death online or at ULB; collect certified copies of death certificate.
Step-by-Step: Dead Body Transport by Road
Documents & Clearances
Carry MCCD and IDs. For inter-state movement, a Police NOC is advisable to avoid stoppages at check-posts. Keep 3–5 photocopies handy in a transparent folder.
- MCCD (Form 4/4A), IDs (deceased & claimant)
- Police NOC (recommended inter-state)
- Booking/venue slip if going directly to rites
Preservation & En-route Plan
For long or hot-weather trips, use a freezer box or consider embalming. Share live location with family; maintain respectful speed; carry water & basic supplies.
- Freezer box or embalming for long duration
- Copies attached to coffin/box (transparent sleeve)
- Escort car for assistance if possible
Step-by-Step: Dead Body Transport by Air (Flight)
Natural Death Case
- Collect MCCD + IDs.
- Arrange embalming and get the certificate.
- Use a sealed (zinc-lined) coffin & get packing certificate.
- Get Police NOC if airline/airport requires.
- Book cargo; provide consignee ID; obtain AWB.
Post-Mortem (MLC) Case
- Collect autopsy COD / post-mortem note.
- Police NOC/clearance + FIR copy.
- Embalming + sealed coffin + packing certificate.
- Cargo booking → AWB (consignee ready at destination).
Tip: Aim to embalm the same morning for an afternoon flight; reach cargo 90–120 minutes before acceptance cut-off.
City-Wise Administrative Notes
Bengaluru (BBMP)
Online crematorium slot booking available. Carry MCCD + IDs; many facilities operate till early evening.
Delhi (MCD)
Major ghats follow token queues; carry multiple copies of MCCD. Digitisation helps in certificate retrieval.
Mumbai (BMC)
Intimation at ward office common; cremation allowed with hospital MCCD; collect death certificate online later.
Hyderabad (GHMC)
Apply via MeeSeva/online; crematoria accept doctor’s certificate; first cert usually within a week.
Chennai (GCC)
Zonal office issues burial/cremation order; e-seva for certificate (7–15 days typical).
Pune / Kolkata
ULB processes similar to state systems; cremation slip often asked for final certificate issuance.
Master Checklist — Documents & Tasks After a Death
Immediate (0–6 hrs)
- Doctor’s confirmation & MCCD
- Secure IDs (deceased + claimant)
- Police intimation if MLC
- Move to mortuary / arrange cooling
Same Day
- Collect hospital slip/MCCD
- Municipal permit/token (if city requires)
- Book cremation/burial + hearse
- Perform rites; collect slip
Next 1–21 Days
- Apply for death certificate
- Get 3–5 originals
- Notify bank/insurance/employer
- Request corrections promptly if needed
How Swargayatraa Assists Families
- Documentation: MCCD pickup, municipal forms, error-proofing.
- Permits & Slots: ULB permissions, crematorium bookings.
- Police/MLC: NOC/FIR coordination, post-mortem handover.
- Air Cargo: Embalming, coffin certificates, AWB & consignee.
- End-to-End: Ambulance/hearse, clergy, materials, certificate follow-through.
FAQs — Documents, Transport & Timelines
🧭 Core Understanding
1) What are the absolute minimum documents to start with?
MCCD (Form 4/4A) and IDs (deceased and claimant). In metros, a municipal permit/token may be needed before cremation. Keep 3–5 photocopies and soft scans on your phone.
2) Do we need the official death certificate before cremation?
No. Cremation generally proceeds with the doctor’s MCCD (plus municipal permit where applicable). The official Death Certificate is obtained later for banks, insurance, and pension work.
3) Who can act as claimant/informant?
Usually spouse/child/parent/sibling. If unavailable, a responsible kin/friend with ID can sign. Their name appears as informant on the municipal certificate.
🚚 / ✈️ Transport
4) Do we need a Police NOC for road transport?
Within a city/state for natural deaths, usually not. For inter-state travel, carry a short Police NOC to avoid delays at check-posts. Keep copies attached to the coffin/box in a transparent sleeve.
5) What is mandatory for air transport (flights)?
Embalming and coffin sealing/packing certificates, MCCD/post-mortem note, Police NOC (often required), consignee ID at destination, and the Airway Bill (AWB) from airline cargo.
6) How many document copies should we carry while travelling?
Carry 3–5 photocopies of MCCD, IDs, Police NOC (if any), and booking slips. Keep one complete set with the coffin/box, one with the escort, and one spare in your bag.
7) Can ashes be carried by flight?
Yes. Keep ashes in a sealed urn in hand baggage with a copy of the cremation certificate/slip and, if available, a copy of the death certificate. Confirm airline policy before travel.
📄 Registration & Corrections
8) How fast can we get the municipal death certificate?
Typically 5–15 days after applying with MCCD + cremation/burial slip. Apply within 21 days to avoid late registration steps or affidavits.
9) We missed the 21-day window — what now?
Late fee up to 30 days; Registrar/SDM permission up to 12 months; Magistrate’s order beyond a year. Keep copies of all supporting documents when applying late.
10) Name or detail mismatches across documents?
Keep spelling consistent with Aadhaar/passport. Apply corrections with supporting IDs. For legacy variations (e.g., initials), a notarized affidavit can help link records.
11) Difference between hospital death slip and MCCD?
The hospital death/discharge slip records time/basic details. The MCCD records cause of death and is required for permits and municipal registration.
⚖️ Medico-Legal & Costs
12) Post-mortem case: which extra papers?
Post-mortem COD note, Police NOC/clearance, and often the FIR copy before body release. Keep these for air travel or inter-state transport.
13) Typical costs to anticipate quickly?
Ambulance/hearse, cremation/cemetery fee, simple materials, embalming/coffin (if needed), certificate copies. Photograph bills and request stamped receipts for claims.
🧰 Practicalities & Support
14) How many originals of the death certificate should we get?
At least 3 originals (banks, insurance, pension). Many ULBs allow ordering more copies for a nominal fee; keep a scanned PDF as well.
15) We feel overwhelmed — can we still do this same-day?
Yes. Focus on MCCD + IDs, book a slot, and keep the gathering small. Most admin tasks can follow in the next days. A coordinator can handle permits and logistics end-to-end.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
We handle logistics and rituals with care — so you can stay with family. From the first call to the final prayer, we are here.
- ✔ Coordinator + ambulance/hearse
- ✔ Cremation/burial slot booking
- ✔ Clergy and ritual materials
- ✔ Clear paperwork guidance
