A system is in place for most immediate repatriation of mortal remains of Indian nationals. The Community Welfare section of the Embassy has a dedicated team which make daily visits to hospitals, Police Stations, Detention Cell/Deportation Centres etc to enquire about unfortunate death incidents and to ensure that mortal remains of Indian nationals are sent to their native town/village in the shortest possible time. The Embassy contact details are available on its Website.
In case of natural deaths (heart attack, sickness, old age etc.), the mortal remains are airlifted to India most quickly depending on the efforts of relatives/ employer/ friends as well as availability of flights. In case of unnatural deaths (such as suicide, drowning, fire, traumatic injury, inhalation of gases etc.) and after clearing all formalities required by Kuwaiti law, the mortal remains of Indian Nationals are airlifted to the nearest airport in about 1-4 weeks time from intimation of death. The Embassy’s website has the latest position on disposal of mortal remains of Indian Nationals since July 2014. The table below provides a break- up figures with regard to deaths gender-wise along with its causes for the period 2013 to March 2016.
In cases where sponsor in Kuwait of the deceased Indian refuses to pay for the aforesaid expenses and the family members of deceased are deemed destitutes, the Embassy pays for airlifting of mortal remains by Air India (or other airlines, if the National Carrier does not operate on that sector). The expenditure is such cases are met out of ICWF. The cremation of mortal remains is not allowed in Kuwait.
In case of unnatural deaths, the Embassy has been advising to the legal heirs of the deceased to appoint Embassy as their Attorney and send Power of Attorney and Legal Heirship Certificate, duly attested by the concerned authorities in India for filing a claim of death compensation on behalf of the legal successor. Death compensation cases related to work-site accidents & traffic accidents should be filed within one-year & three-year periods respectively, otherwise it becomes time barred. In this regard, the table below from 2014 to March 2016 may also be seen.
Compensation provided to the legal heirs of the deceased Indian nationals
The details of repatriation of mortal remains to India during the last two years are as follows. In 2014, a total of 559 Indians died in Kuwait, out of which mortal remains of 434 nationals were sent to India, with local burial in 125 cases. The Embassy paid for transportation in 29 destitute cases. The Embassy spent KD 4,013 on air freight and coffin box etc from the ICWF. Similarly, during the year 2015, there were a total of 611 deaths of Indian nationals. While mortal remains of 504 persons were sent to India, local burial was done in 107 cases after taking due consent from their family members. Free transportation of mortal remains was done in 35 destitute cases. The Embassy spent KD 4,456 on air freight charges and coffin box expenses. The table below shows the details of the repatriation of mortal remains of deceased Indian Nationals to India during the period from 2005 to 31 March 2016.