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Emergency Planning

Bereavement Emergency Kit

A practical guide for NRIs navigating family loss across borders: death registration, embassy procedures, repatriation, and succession.

Free guideEmbassy proceduresPrintable checklist

The first hours are about confirming, notifying, and organising — not making irreversible decisions. Take a breath. Assign a coordinator in India if possible.

  1. 1Obtain a written confirmation of death from the doctor or hospital (cause of death certificate / Form 4A in India)
  2. 2Inform immediate family members — agree on one point person in India to coordinate locally
  3. 3Secure all identity documents of the deceased: Indian passport, Aadhaar card, PAN card, OCI card if any
  4. 4Note down key contacts: attending physician, hospital, local family members
  5. 5Notify your employer of bereavement — most have emergency leave provisions; get HR contact
  6. 6Do not make irreversible decisions about last rites arrangements until family has been consulted
  7. 7If a will exists, locate it immediately — it may specify preferences for last rites

Note: If the deceased was abroad (in your host country): also call local emergency services if the death was sudden or unattended — they may need to certify the cause

Note: If the deceased was in India: the local hospital or doctor will issue a death summary; the formal Death Certificate comes from the Municipal Corporation (see Phase 2)

If an Indian national died abroad, the Indian Embassy/High Commission should be notified. They issue a Consular Death Certificate, which is required for succession and account closure in India. Select your host country above for specific embassy procedures.

  1. 1Notify the Indian Embassy / High Commission in your host country of the death
  2. 2Provide the local death certificate, deceased's Indian passport, and your ID as the next of kin
  3. 3Request a Consular Death Certificate (CDC) — this serves as the official Indian record of a death abroad
  4. 4Obtain apostille of the local death certificate if required for use in India (Hague Convention countries — see below)
  5. 5If the body is being repatriated to India: obtain No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Embassy for transport
  6. 6If the deceased was an OCI holder: the Embassy may also process OCI cancellation documentation
  7. 7If the deceased had an Indian passport: surrender it to the Embassy for cancellation

NLNetherlands — Death Registration

Gemeente (local municipality) — GBA/BRP death registration

Within 3 working days of death; funeral home usually handles on your behalf

Apostille / Authentication for India

Apostille requiredRijksdienst voor Identiteitsgegevens (RvIG) — apply via the municipality

Local note: Dutch law requires death registration within 3 days. The municipality will issue a burial/cremation permit (verlof tot begraving of crematie) which is required before last rites.

Indian Embassy / High Commission — Netherlands

Embassy of India

Buitenrustweg 2, 2517 KD The Hague
+31 70 346 9771
hoc.thehague@mea.gov.in

Mon–Fri 09:00–17:30 · Consular: 09:30–12:30

Embassy Role in Bereavement

• Contact the Embassy of India, The Hague to report the death and obtain a Consular Death Certificate (CDC)

• The Embassy issues a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for repatriation — submit local death cert, embalming cert, and next-of-kin ID

• Surrender the deceased's Indian passport to the Embassy for cancellation

Repatriation Notes

• Several Dutch funeral homes specialise in repatriation to India (e.g., Yarden, Monuta, and specialist Asian funeral services)

• Embalming is required and must be performed before transport to India

• Typical cost: €2,500–€5,000 for full repatriation including embalming, zinc-lined coffin, and air freight

This guide provides general information only. Requirements vary by Indian state, host country, religion, and individual circumstances. Consult local authorities, the Indian Embassy, and qualified legal counsel for your specific situation. NRI Tools is not a law firm and this is not legal advice.

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