burying the dead

When the world was celebrating the arrival of the New Year in January 2015, a deeply distressing event unfolded along a tributary of the River Ganges: more than 100 decomposed bodies, many of them children, were found washed up along the riverbanks. According to multiple news reports, these were not victims of natural disaster or conflict, but individuals whose families were too poor to afford a proper cremation. Left with no means, they resorted to river burials—an act of desperation born from economic destitution.

The immediate response from authorities centered on environmental concerns, citing the presence of human remains as a serious pollution threat to the Ganges, as identified by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). In fact, as early as July 2014, over ₹2,037 crore had been allocated to the Ganga Rejuvenation Project. However, the underlying cause—the crippling poverty that led families to abandon traditional rites—was barely acknowledged. This exposed a glaring gap between large-scale environmental action and the grassroots humanitarian crisis unfolding quietly along India’s most sacred river.

In India, more than 230 million people still live below the multidimensional poverty line, according to the 2023 UNDP Human Development Report. Among them, funeral expenses—which can cost between ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 or more—become an insurmountable burden. In rural and marginalized communities, this often leads to people forsaking the essential last rites altogether. The situation is especially sensitive in the context of Indian traditions, where Antyesti (the last rites) is not merely about disposal of remains but a deeply respected cultural practice signifying closure, honor, and dignity for the departed soul.

Treating human remains as simply a “pollution source” strips away the dignity and cultural depth that surrounds death in Indian society. It disregards the trauma of the poor, who are often left to choose between feeding the living or respecting the dead. In many ways, the incident of 2015 was a mirror to our collective priorities—where ecological imbalance was debated louder than human dignity lost in death.

Recognizing this silent crisis, the Bread of Life (B.O.L.) Foundation is committed to supporting poor families in performing dignified last rites for their loved ones. The foundation’s mission includes financial aid for cremation or burial, logistical support, and awareness on affordable and respectful alternatives. The initiative also calls for policy dialogue, urging government bodies and civil society to acknowledge the right to a dignified death as fundamental, just as the right to food, shelter, and health.

By working with local panchayats, funeral service providers, and NGOs, B.O.L. aims to ensure that no family has to suffer the indignity of abandoning their deceased due to poverty. Because how we treat the dead is a powerful reflection of how we value life.