Will Cremation become an acceptable practice for Indian Christians?

Graveyards are filling up, and congestion in the existing cemeteries have sparked heated debates. Some radical priests even want to dig up heritage tombs and make space for the dear departed. It’s interesting how the corona virus may soon break down resistance to the idea of Indian Christians opting for cremations!

The onslaught of the corona virus, and the increasing death rate have forced Christians in several towns and cities to opt for cremation of their departed, according to reports from across India.

According to a report from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh state, at least six bodies have been cremated at Chaukaghat in Varanasi and the ashes were later taken for burial at the Christian graveyard.

Father Vijay Shantiraj, secretary of Banaras Christian Cemetery Board, states that the Christian population in Varanasi is over 3,000. Normally, one or two deaths are reported in the community per month, but more than 30 have died in the past 45 days.

“Some people got infected and died of Covid, and their families consulted us since they were not in favour of burying the body. We suggested that the bodies be cremated and ashes can then be buried,” Father Shantiraj said.

Cremation is rare for Christians, especially Catholics. However, similar cases have been reported from elsewhere in the state, such as  Prayagraj, that has a sizeable Christian population.

Certain members within the Catholic community expressed their preference for cremation, given that most cemeteries in India are simply running out of burial space.

“The burial of urns containing ashes will ensure smaller graves that will be there for all times to come. People are doing this on their own, and there is no compulsion from the church,” a parishioner  said.

In 2016, as cremation gained some popularity in the west, the  Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released an instruction regarding burial and cremation, reiterating the Church’s teaching that cremation, while strongly discouraged, can be permissible under certain restrictions – and that scattering the ashes is forbidden.

Ad resurgendum cum Christo, or “To rise with Christ”, states that while cremation “is not prohibited” the Church “continues to prefer the practice of burying the bodies of the deceased, because this shows a greater esteem towards the deceased.”

The document explains that after “legitimate motives” for cremation have been ascertained, the “ashes of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place,” such as in a cemetery or church.

Last year in June, an archdiocese in Kerala has allowed the parishes facing shortage of land to cremate the deceased infected by coronavirus.

In a circular issued to parishes under it, Thrissur archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar church said considering the prevailing situation, bodies of those dying of COVID-19 can be cremated with the permission of relatives and under the supervision of the civic authorities.

The circular however, said the ashes of the cremated person shall be collected from the crematorium for  burial at the cemetery.

In April last year, Christians in Delhi  requested the state government to make suitable arrangements and set aside space in the common cremation grounds for Christians to offer  prayers and last rites. They said once such proper facilities are made in these grounds more and more Christians would be willing to cremate their loved ones instead of burying them.

In a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on behalf of the Christian community advocate Manoj V George said, “As you would be aware that there is a great difficulty to find burial places in Delhi for Christians due to the paucity of land in our city, the existing cemeteries are almost full and it has become very difficult to find places for burial for Christians in the state of Delhi in the event of a death.

“Considering that many Christian congregations have reconciled to this fact, and have started cremating the dead bodies even though it is not normal according to their faith practices. Thus alternate modes of body disposal have been initiated these days,” the letter added.

Cemeteries across India are facing acute shortage of space, and it seems that cremation of the loved ones will become an accepted practice, despite the initial reluctance from the traditional Catholics.

  Catholic Church, Christian Cremation, Vatican