Kerala’s first ash cemetery comes up in Kannur church

Keeping pace with changing times, the Christian community in Kerala which had accepted cremation during Covid-19 restrictions has gone further and introduced an ash cemetery in the church premises.

With a view to mainstream this concept which was required due to space constraints, the St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church located in Kannur district’s Melechovva has established the ash cemetery.

Talking to the media, Fr Thomas Kulangayi, Vicar of the Church informed that last Friday the first person was interred in the ash cemetery.

The church comes under the Syro-Malabar Church’s Archeparchy of Thalassery.

This cemetery is definitely the first of its kind in Kerala and probably also in India was decided upon when the authorities denied permission for construction of a chamber tomb in the space allocated for it.

The space after getting necessary permission from the diocesan head was converted into one where the ashes of the departed could be interred. In all this facility has 39 compartments set up in three rows.

For interment the necessary funeral rites and rituals as prescribed by the Syro-Malabar Church have to be followed before and after the cremation.

Chambers in this cemetery will be allotted to families similar to the traditional one. The departed soul’s ashes are kept in the chamber in a wooden box with a provision for the family members to pray and light candles.