Bhopal crematorium offers bed, breakfast and more

No one wishes to spend the night at a crematorium. But, even those who dare not to visit the place during daytime are now forced to spend night at crematoriums to collect the mortal remains of their dear ones as soon as the pyre flames die. As the rush for cremations are very high and space limited, the staff at the crematoriums cannot guarantee safety of remains for even a day.

People, especially those who reach city from neighbouring districts for treatment and those visiting from outside the city to cremate body of their relatives are the ones who are forced to take shelter at the crematoriums during the night. The Bhadbhada crematorium trust in Bhopal, where most bodies are cremated, is forced to arrange breakfast, lunch, dinner and even bed for such families.

Ram Yadav, who had come to Bhopal from Raisen to get his Covid positive brother treated at a private hospital spent a night at the crematorium as he had no relatives or contacts in the city. He told TOI, “After a few days treatment, my brother died. I had no contacts in Bhopal and I had to collect the ashes the next morning. I requested the Bhadbhada crematorium trustees to allow me to stay the night,” said Yadav.


Nikhil Waghmare was searching for a place to stay after cremating his uncle last month. “When no one is giving space to strangers, Bhadbhada crematorium society is doing a remarkable job,” said Nikhil.

Such was the demand of the people for night stay that the Bhadbhada management requested NGOs and others for help. “Whenever anyone requests us to allow them to stay in the night, we provide them with shelter food and water,” said secretary, Bhadbhada crematorium society. He claimed around five-eight people on an average stay daily at the crematorium.

Society’s president Arun Chaudhary said several people have come forward to help. “I have a double door fridge as the demand for food has increased. Fridge and 100 chairs were donated by an individual while 5,000 water bottles have been donated by another. Several others are also donating groceries and other essentials,” said Chaudhary.

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