Volunteer Ashish Kashyap carefully shovels the ashes of India’s unclaimed Covid-19 dead from a large pile into sacks at Nigambodh ghat crematorium in Delhi, where the pyres have been burning round-the-clock because of a surge of deaths.<img alt="" data-caption="Bags containing unclaimed ashes of victims who died from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), are seen at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, May 9, 2021.
PHOTO: Reuters” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”766b4a4d-8cce-4b2f-85c9-4055360f0d32″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/20210512_bagsofashes_reuters.jpg”/>Kashyap will then take the ashes to be immersed in the Ganges river. Families of the victims are often too afraid to come and collect the ashes after cremation because they fear contracting the virus in crowded sites.
Hindus cremate their dead and the ashes are scattered over rivers considered sacred or over some other place of importance to the deceased.
“During this pandemic, the relatives of these victims have abandoned them. However, our organisation collects these remains from all the crematoriums and performs the last rituals in Haridwar, so that they can achieve salvation,”said Kashyap, 28.<img alt="" data-caption="Ashish Kashyap, a volunteer of Shri Devouthan Sewa Samiti, a non-profit organisation, rests after collecting unclaimed ashes of the victims who died from the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, May 9, 2021.
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A Touch of Compassion: The Volunteer Ash Collection to Haridwar
The Shri Deodhan Sewa Samiti is on a mission that feels both heart‑warming and utterly unique. Led by a core group of dedicated volunteers, they gather ashes and bone fragments from families who have no one to pay the last rites.
The Compassionate Team
- They carefully rinse the ashes with a mix of milk and water – a ritual that’s as soothing for the soul as a spa day would be for the body.
- After making the bones gleam, the team lingers over prayers that roar into the night.
- Vijay Sharma, one of the pillars of the group, says “We’ve been doing this for almost 20 years, helping those who cannot, or whose families cannot, afford the customary ceremonies.”
The Sacred Journey
In September, the spirited team will trek the ashes to the holy city of Haridwar, sit by the Ganges, and perform a 15‑day ceremony deemed particularly auspicious. Think of it like a last‑minute trip to an eternal spa.
The Spiritual Significance
For Hindus, these rituals aren’t just formality. They’re seen as the spiritual key to Moksha—the ultimate release from the endless cycle of life and death. A beautiful belief that brings hope even in the face of loss.
A Long‑Standing Tradition
Last year, their arms lifted the remains of 3,700 souls. Now, they anticipate the number will climb—maybe a life‑saver that helps a few thousand more families find a dignified send‑off.
With each wash, prayer, and journey, this unsung hero group reminds us that compassion can still travel in the freest of ways—one small, humble ritual at a time.
