Problems in reaching crematorium, quick last rites: What bereaved families face during lockdown

At the crematoriums, most families are opting for cremation in an electric or diesel furnace, as, among other reasons, there are not enough hands to help with a traditional cremation with wooden logs.

Medics outside an isolation ward of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) at a hospital in Hyderabad. In the current scenario, no one wants to even risk walking to the crematorium, even if it is located nearby, due to fear of contracting coronavirus. (PTI Photo)

As they grapple with grief, family members of a person who died from the coronavirus disease are also facing a logistical issue: lack of private transport or ambulances to ferry the body to the crematorium amid the current lockdown.

Rules on the lockdown specify that attendance at funerals should be as low as possible, with only close relatives and friends attending. But as even private ambulances don’t have permission to ply, families of the deceased have no means to reach the crematorium for last rites.

“Services at the crematorium are going on as usual. But the difficulty is ferrying the dead for last rites due to unavailability of private ambulance drivers, as they don’t have permission to ply their vehicles,” said former Pune Mayor Prashant Jagtap. Follow coronavirus India lockdown LIVE Updates

In the current scenario, no one wants to even risk walking to the crematorium, even if it is located nearby, due to fear of contracting coronavirus. “Everyone wants to ferry the body in ambulances. Government and hospital ambulances are busy in service of coronavirus patients while private ambulances are not able to ply due to lack of fuel and permission from the government,” he said.

Jagtap said the district administration should issue special passes allowing private ambulances to buy fuel and ply.

At the crematoriums, most families are opting for cremation in an electric or diesel furnace, as, among other reasons, there are not enough hands to help with a traditional cremation with wooden logs.

“If the cremation is held in an open space, there is also fear of infection… very few attend funerals and want to finish it off as early as possible. Some families are preferring to skip the religious rituals attached to last rites so that all those attending are relieved at the earliest,” said a local resident who attended a funeral at Vaikunth, one of the biggest crematoriums in the city.

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A staffer at Vaikunth crematorium said, “The use of wood to hold cremations at Vaikunth is almost nil now… there is a demand for electric or diesel-run furnaces.”

The other crematoriums, meanwhile, have seen low attendance, with the few family members and friends present practising social distancing, said a civic staff.

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Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More