Krishna Bhaskar
I have seen many Hindu families dealing with the unexpected, unfortunate loss of loved ones here in the United States. Many times, they struggle to gather resources while simultaneously trying to grieve or process the trauma. I’m sharing this guide to help with practical information about dealing with hospital staff, funeral homes, arranging pundits, and other necessities for Hindu funeral and cremation arrangements in the U.S.
When a person passes away in the United States, the process is handled strictly under local and state laws. Here’s what typically happens:
Medical Review: If the death occurs at a hospital or home, the local county medical examiner is notified. If the death appears natural and expected, the examiner may approve the release of the body within 2–3 days.
If the death was sudden, unexplained, or involved trauma (e.g., suicide, accident, or suspected foul play), an autopsy is usually required. This process can delay the release by up to a week or more.
The body is stored in the hospital or county morgue until it is officially cleared. Bodies are not released to family members directly, only to licensed funeral homes or airline mortuary services for repatriation.
Some families wish to return their loved one’s body to India. This process can be done but is often expensive, complex, and time-sensitive. The overall cost can easily be between $10,000 to $25,000.
Airline Cargo Fees: International transport of human remains generally costs between $4,000 and $15,000 USD, influenced by the airline, route, and weight of the remains.
Funeral Home Services: Engaging a funeral home to handle embalming, documentation, and coordination can add $1,000 to $3,000 USD to the total cost.
Embalming and Coffin: Embalming services may cost between $500 and $1,200 USD, while a hermetically sealed coffin suitable for air transport can range from $500 to $3,000 USD.
Documentation and Permits: Obtaining necessary documents such as death certificates, embalming certificates, and consular permits can incur additional fees, approximately $100 to $500 USD
What’s Needed: Clearance from the local health department, county medical examiner, Indian consulate documentation, embalming of the body, and an approved casket meeting international transport standards.
Recommended Option: Many choose to cremate the body in the U.S. and carry or ship the ashes (urna) to India. Most funeral homes can help with international transport of ashes, and airlines allow you to carry them—but you must notify the airline in advance.
To facilitate the transportation, the following documents are typically required:
Certified death certificate
Embalming certificate
Coffin certificate
No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Indian Consulate
Copy of the deceased’s passport
Consular mortuary certificate
It’s advisable to consult with the Indian Embassy or Consulate for the most current requirements and procedures.
Once a funeral home is finalized, they take over the coordination from the hospital or morgue. They will:
Pick up the body once legal clearance is given
Handle preservation and preparation for viewing
Dress the body in clothes provided by the family
Arrange viewing and cremation services as per Hindu customs
In Dallas-Fort Worth, many families use:
Hughes Family Tribute Center
9700 Webb Chapel Road, Dallas, TX 75220
☎️ (214) 350-9951 | 🌐 hughesftc.com
Cost can range from $3,000 to $20,000 depending on services and location. Hughes offers options on the lower end and is familiar with Hindu traditions.
If you know of other funeral homes that offer culturally respectful and affordable services, especially for Hindu families, please email me at kb@krishnabhaskar.com so we can add them to this resource.
Hindu pundits will ask you to bring some puja samagri (list of items) for the funeral. You can find everything in the puja section of any big-size Indian store like Patel Brothers, Hareli, or India Bazaar or similar stores in your city. Here is a list of items needed.
Jau ka aata (Barley flour) – small packet
Kala Til – small packet
Kush (looks like dry grass)
Ghee (clarified butter) – small bottle
Pan ke patte (beetle leaves) 5
Nariwal (coconut) 3
Supari (beetle nut) 3
Panchamrit (A mix of milk, yogurt, honey, jaggery, and ghee)
Fruits (Just a couple of fruits of five kinds)
Chandan (sandalwood powder)
Kumkum (red powder)
Chawal (rice) – small packet
Saphed kapada (white cloth piece)
Mauli (the red thread)
Janeu (yellow thread)
Agarbatti (incense sticks)
Flowers (buy a bunch with lots of flowers, another bunch of red roses, pull the red petals out and keep it in tray for people to pick and place it on the body at the end of the puja)
Milk
Kalas mitti ka (clay pot of medium size)
Diya (clay lamps)
Tulasipatra (Tulsi leaves, take it from home. If not, you may have to buy a plant from the Indian store)
Gangajal (Ganga water)
Sone ka tukada (any small gold item. This doesn’t come from the Indian store. Usually, the family decides to use a small gold item that can be used in cremation. This does not come back home)
Paper plate – 5
Paper cup – 5
Spoon – 5
Lighter – 1
Aluminum Foil tray – 1 large, 2 small
Paper towel – 1 role
Most metro areas in the U.S. have Hindu temples or communities with knowledgeable pundits. In Dallas-Fort Worth, I recommend:
Pundit Tulsiram Ji
📍 Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
📱 (469) 235-5328
He is reliable, respectful, understands the emotional nature of funerals, and is self-sufficient in terms of transport.
If you know pundits in other U.S. cities who perform cremation pujas, please send me their name, phone number, and photo if possible. Let’s build a shared resource for our entire community.
Most funeral homes offer live streaming services for out-of-town family and friends. The telecast typically shows:
The casket and ceremonial rituals
Pundit’s chanting and prayers
The family’s final goodbye before the cremation begins
Cameras are turned off before the actual cremation. Make sure the viewer is emotionally prepared before sharing the streaming link.
Arrive 20–30 minutes early, never late.
Double-check your puja samagri list before leaving home.
Communicate funeral time, location, and livestream link to friends and family the night before.
Prepare close friends or family members to say a few words or sing bhajans if appropriate.
If reading Gita shlokas or bhajans, consider printing a small booklet with copies for guests.
Keep cash on hand for pundit’s dakshina or unexpected needs.
After the ceremony:
Finalize funeral home payments, urn handling, and request death certificates.
If the deceased had property or accounts in India, ask for 10–15 copies. If not, 4–5 is usually enough.
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For suggestions or additions to improve this guide, contact me at kb@krishnabhaskar.com.
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