Delhi funeral planners make a killing on the living

NEW DELHI: Subodh Upadhaya (name changed on request), a 68-year-old exporter, says he has always done things in his own style. And he doesn’t want any change in the rule even for his funeral.

Upadhaya has registered with a funeral establishment that specialises in customising cremations and remembrance ceremonies. “I’m an incorrigible perfectionist. I want my farewell to take place the way I desire. I haven’t shared it with my family yet that I have everything already planned, right from the guest list to what music to play,” he says.

With more and more establishments offering customised services, a growing number of people are planning their farewell in advance.

This, they believe, makes it easier for their loved ones to deal with their loss and takes off the stress of making crucial arrangements.

The funeral companies appoint a coordinator who puts together the guests list of friends and relatives of the deceased and extends them the funeral invitations. The coordinator also briefs about religious rituals to be performed the right way, appoints a pundit/ priest and gets obituaries published in newspapers. The coordinator makes arrangements for the family to immersing the ashes (asthi visarjan) in the Ganga at Haridwar. Legal aid with the will is also provided.

“Funerals are not just about mourning. People have emotionally evolved to understand that it is also an opportunity to celebrate the life of the one who is no more. Through a pre-planned event, they want to showcase the message they want to leave behind,” says model Daljit Sean Singh, founder of one such service, Antim Yatra. CONT’D ON PAGE 6