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Till 28 May, COVID-19 claimed more than 4,500 lives across the country. But even after death, several safety guidelines and protocol need to be strictly adhered to in order to curb the
spread of the deadly disease.
In the national capital, the last rites of COVID victims are being performed in 9 crematoriums and burial grounds. The Quint visited three places in New Delhi to find out how last rites of
those who died due to COVID-19 are performed and what are the guidelines that are being followed. The protocol is the same for confirmed as well as suspected COVID deaths.
The Quint visited ITO’s Jadid Qabristan where bodies of those who have died due to COVID-19 or are suspected to have died of COVID-19, are sent for burial. Mohd Shamim, the supervisor of the
Qabristan, said that they get a call from the hospitals informing them of a COVID death so that preparations can be done and guidelines can be followed accordingly. And only when the
preparations for the last rites are complete, then a call is made to the hospital and they send the body, Shamim explained.
Jadid Qabristan is spread across 50 acres of land and 1 acre of land is alloted for burial of COVID-19 victims. This 1 acre of land is far away from the rest of the graves, in one corner of
the Qabristan. For other graves, proper cemented structures are built on top but for COVID-19 victims they are simply buried and covered with sand.
The Quint then visited Nigam Bodh Ghat which falls under the North Delhi Municipal Corporation and has been designated for funeral of those who have died due to COVID-19 or suspected to have
died of COVID-19. The last rites of COVID-19 bodies are being done here through the CNG crematorium. For other bodies, the traditional method of burning the bodies on a wooden pyre is
practised here.
The Quint also spoke to an operator of the CNG crematorium on the safety protocol and guidelines that need to be followed.
The Quint also visited the Punjabi Bagh crematorium which is also designated for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 deaths. This crematorium comes under the South Delhi Municipal Corporation.
Not everyone is allowed to enter this cremation ground. The family members of the deceased have to wait on the road outside the crematorium. The entrance gate opens every 15-30 minutes.
Staff take the bodies inside along with a select few while the family members have to wait outside.
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