One that gets to race letting your loved one go is something that is just simply painful. Things become more complex when you want to repatriate the deceased from Australia to India. It’s important to know how to deal with funeral arrangements in such a hard time. In this article, I’ll lead you through each step, from dead body transportation in India to the subsequent arrangements.
The Repatriation Process
What is Repatriation?
Repatriation is the repatriation of a dead person to his or her country of origin for burial or cremation. Australia is a multicultural country, and when someone dies here their family may want their body to be sent back to India for funeral rites that follow cultural and religious customs.
Legal Requirements
Before moving it, become familiar with the laws of India and Australia. You need to ask local authorities in Australia to give you a death certificate. Additionally, you may have to obtain a no-objection certificate from the Indian consulate. Dead body transportation in India will require the use of this documentation.
Picking a Funeral Service Provider
Choosing the Right Funeral Home
You should select an overseas funeral service provider with experience in repatriating the deceased both within the UK and from overseas. They will facilitate the logistics for dead body transportation in India and finish the paperwork with all that is needed for a dead body. Check for reviews and get recommendations so you get that the agency you selected is a reliable one.
Cultural Sensitivity
Make sure that the funeral provider knows the cultural and religious aspects of an Indian funeral. A provider of real respect for these traditions will help you set up the service on a very meaningful level.
Planning for Dead Body Transportation in India
Casket Preparation and Embalming
To preserve the body in most cases travel will be required, the body will need to be embalmed. The funeral home will help with this too. They will also have the right casket for transportation. Make sure your casket is in line with both Australian and Indian standards around carrying a dead body in India.
Flight Arrangements
For repatriation, after it’s been done, you can work with your funeral service to plan a flight. Certain airlines have a policy for transporting deceased bodies. Make sure that the airline can regulate, particularly from an Indian point of view, what goes on in terms of transporting dead bodies.
Transportation Documentation
Prepare all necessary documents, which typically include:
- Death certificate
- No objection from the consulate.
- Embalming certificate
- If the deceased has a passport, then a passport.
So, when you arrive in India with the dead body, you’re going to need these documents, so keep copies of all of these because you’re going to need them for both Australia and India.
Upon Arrival in India
Customs Clearance
When the body reaches India, it goes through body customs. They fill in the gaps of your process—the funeral service provider will help you get there. Make sure you get the documentation correct as that can cause delays in customs clearance and can hold up dead body transportation in India.
Arrangements to Funeral Home or Residence
Transport of the body follows clearance from customs; a body is then transported to a designated area for the funeral service. It may be in a funeral home or at the family’s residence, whichever you choose. The logistics will be handled by professional services to ensure that the dead body will reach India smoothly and safely.
Arranging the Funeral Service
Funeral Rites in India
The funeral rites in India have wide and varied differences in different cultures and religions. Cremation is the norm for Hindus, but Muslims would like burial. Make sure that you have it planned out with the beliefs and customs of the deceased. Your funeral service provider can help you handle these arrangements.
Memorial Service Planning
Funeral rites are also important as well as a memorial service to honour the deceased’s life. It can be a more personal thing, where friends and family can come together and tell memories to those lost and remembered.
Finalise Logistics and Costs
Get detailed estimates of funeral services provided by the funeral service provider like dead body transportation in India, burial or cremation, and any other service needs for memorial service. Avoid being surprised further down the line by being clear about what is in the quotes.
Learning about Cultural practices in India
Regional Differences
The country India is vast and has multiple cultures and traditions. Funerals are different regionally, and it is important to understand that. For example, in some places, certain rituals must take place before the body can be cremated or buried. Follow these customs throughout the repatriation from Australia to India and the funeral process.
Religious Considerations
Of all religions in India, the funeral rites are different in every religion. For instance:
- Hindu Funerals: The body is normally cremated usually done within 24 hours of death. Close family members perform the last rites, which are prayers for the blessing of spirit.
- Muslim Funerals: Normally the body is laid to rest within the same day. These prayers are said, and anointing of the body is done before it is buried in a graveyard.
- Christian Funerals: Wakes are usually followed by a mass or service and burial or cremation. Prayers and memories are invited from family and friends.
Tapping a local funeral provider who knows her stuff is important on two counts: It’s a sympathetic way to honour the deceased’s legacy and it can help guarantee that the rituals are performed the right way.
Informing Family Members
However, when the repatriation begins, family mates and close mates must be advised about these arrangements. The details of the service and any timelines associated with it can be used to update people the old-fashioned way, using messaging apps or phone calls — including any recommendations for where condolence or payments should be sent.
Further Thoughts on Funeral Arrangements
At this time determining what to do with funeral arrangements upon repatriation, remember to reflect on what your loved one would wish to have done. Decisions on how these may be honoured can be guided by this. You may find honour in their wishes, whether that is in specific rituals, type of service, or location. Then, during all the mayhem of setting up the funeral, take moments for yourself. If you enjoy these practices, give yourself time to rest, pray or meditate.
Kaashimukthi has a compassionate and efficient dead body transportation in India and repatriation process for deceased individuals from Australia to India, so all legal and logistical aspects are made easy.
Madhu is an Entrepreneur, a Mentor, a Writer and an Aspiring Car Race Driver. He is Deeply passionate about leveraging Technology and Human Centred Design to make complex care and End of Life Planning easier. With the ultimate aim of Improving the quality of Life in the Twilight years. Madhu is highly educated and Alumni of IIM-Bangalore, Sikkim Manipal University and Bangalore University besides a Rich Industry Experience in the field of Product Management, Design, Supply chain, Finance, Commercial Management and Funeral Services.