Bandra Undertaker and Residents Debate Green Burials Amid Mumbai Grave Shortage
A debate has emerged within the Catholic community in Bandra and across Mumbai over the ecological and economic costs of elaborate funeral practices versus environmentally sustainable alternatives. The discussion, sparked by a letter in the Catholic newsweekly The Examiner, has brought churchgoers, clergy, and funeral professionals together to address the city's chronic shortage of burial space.
The discussion gained momentum after Mumbai resident Janet D'Souza published a letter titled "Planning the Final Farewell." D'Souza questioned the necessity of elaborate funeral customs and urged families to embrace simplicity over "avoidable grandeur." She advocated for green burials, simple natural shrouds, and the avoidance of non-biodegradable clothing. D'Souza also suggested replacing the term "viewing" with "paying last respects" to shift the focus toward the spiritual legacy of the deceased.
Responding to the letter, Sunil Colaco of Lonica Undertakers, who operates funeral parlours in Bandra and Vile Parle, defended his profession against stereotypes of promoting lavish funerals. Colaco stated that modern funeral directors do not impose elaborate arrangements but instead offer a range of options, including the green burials and simple ceremonies advocated by D'Souza.
However, Colaco highlighted practical challenges to coffinless burials in Mumbai, particularly during the monsoon season. He questioned how shroud burials could be practically managed when graves are flooded. Colaco also noted that coffins are not the sole cause of slow decomposition, pointing to the increasing use of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) burial vaults designed for permanent graves, which hinder the reuse of limited burial spaces.
The debate over coffinless burials is heavily influenced by the city's severe shortage of burial space. Many local churches encourage or require shroud burials because bodies decompose faster without coffins, allowing graves to be reused sooner.
Father Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bombay, stated that the Archdiocese continues to educate the faithful about the benefits of shroud burials. He noted that while some parishes have made shroud burials compulsory due to limited cemetery space, individual parishes remain free to frame policies suited to local circumstances, respecting the final wishes of the deceased's family.
