Anticipating the Future of Hindu Crematoria in Urban India

Abstract

India’s rapid urbanization has resulted in urban isolation causing negative effect on the wellbeing of its dwellers, one of the reasons being shrinkage of the erstwhile availability of strong community support in the event of bereavement. The study explores the possibility of passive recreation spaces as an urban landscape solution by creating the narrative around the unique backdrop of Indian crematorium and philosophy whilst putting into focus the perceptions of the bereaved who are the primary living stakeholders and are the most affected ones. The study also recognizes the importance of an appropriate environment to grieve, mourn and remember the deceased to ensure the overall wellbeing of the bereaved through positive psychology. A qualitative descriptive cross sectional study is conducted through an online survey of the data collected through Google Forms in the form of a questionnaire involving 31 participants. The participants have the exposure of a crematorium (Nigambodh Ghat, Delhi) and a varying sense of emotional attachments with a deceased person who passed away within one year to six months from the time of survey. The findings showed that majority of the participants supported the idea of some form of passive recreational space incorporated within the crematorium premise, which, they perceived, would aid in alleviating emotional crisis and also serve as a memorial for future visits. It could also be projected that, an integration of passive recreation spaces within Indian crematoria would promote therapeutic benefits and inclusivity, a feature hitherto uncharacteristic of prevalent Indian cremation setting.