In late 2025, Kolkata witnessed a remarkable and hopeful development. At the historic 184 Lower Circular Road Cemetery, the Christian Burial Board launched the “Dignity Burial / Shamman Samadhi” initiative—an act of deep compassion and civic responsibility. The programme guarantees that every person, irrespective of economic background, receives a respectful, dignified, and completely free burial.
This initiative has been hailed as “one of the best
gifts to the Christian community in 2025,” especially for the poor, abandoned,
and elderly living in charitable homes. It marks a profound shift toward
restoring the fundamental truth that death should never be a privilege reserved
for the wealthy.
Yet this inspiring achievement stands in stark
contrast to another reality: the misuse of deho chanda—a burial fee
system that has, in many cases, transformed from a safety net into a source of
pain and injustice.
This blog brings both narratives together: a story
of hope, and a call for urgent reform.
Dignity Burial: A Success Story Rooted in Solidarity
The inauguration of the Dignity Burial initiative drew leaders from across Christian denominations—Catholic, Protestant, and independent churches—showcasing rare unity in service of the marginalized. Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity symbolically opened the project, reinforcing their long legacy of caring for the abandoned, the dying, and the forgotten.
MP Sudip Bandopadhyay, joined by Derek O’Brien and
Fr Moloy D’Costa, pledged strong civic support, including a ₹20 lakh
contribution for infrastructure and upkeep. A separate section has been
designated for adults and another for children under three, with full
maintenance undertaken by the Burial Board.
A second site at Tollygunge is expected to open in
early 2026, and the Board has already requested new land for a modern Christian
cemetery, as existing colonial-era graveyards are overcrowded.
Reactions from the community have been
overwhelmingly positive:
- “A great
blessing to our poorer brothers and sisters.”
- “Share this
with Old Age Homes so no one dies abandoned.”
- “One of the
best gifts before Christmas!”
However, some also raised honest concerns: “Good
initiative, but corruption and grave touts at LC Cemetery must stop.”
The initiative’s power lies precisely here—its
ability to restore trust, compassion, and justice where they have been eroded.
Deho Chanda: Social Security or Cruel Superstition? A Painful Encounter
Alongside this new hope lies an older, darker practice: deho chanda, the “body contribution.”
Rev. Emmanuel Singh writes that every winter, from November to
February, when mortality rises, many grieving families face not only sorrow but
humiliation. I recall one heartbreaking incident in Thakurpukur. After the
sudden death of a father, his three daughters sought solace and spiritual
assistance. Instead, the pastor opened a ledger.
Their father’s burial would not proceed until the unpaid deho chanda dues were cleared.
At the most vulnerable moment of their lives, they were confronted with
invoices—coffin charges, hearse payments, grave fees. Instead of a spiritual
refuge, the Church became a place of negotiation and emotional distress.
The Original Purpose: A Safety Net
Deho chanda was originally a beautiful idea—a communal social security
system. Members contributed small amounts monthly or annually so funeral
expenses would be covered at death. For the poor, it was a lifeline ensuring
dignity.
How It Became a Burden
But over time, the system hardened:
- It became
compulsory.
- Ledgers
replaced compassion.
- Pastors
demanded payments before ministry.
- Poor
families were shamed for unpaid dues.
What began as mutual aid degenerated into a transaction—sometimes even a
threat.
From Security to Superstition
Worst of all, many now fear that without paying deho chanda:
- Their
funeral will be denied.
- They will be
deprived of Christian rites.
- They will be
“cut off” spiritually after death.
This fear is not faith—it is superstition. It contradicts the Gospel
itself:
“You received without cost; give without cost.” (Mt 10:8)
When burial becomes a business, the church’s moral credibility collapses.
The Moral Challenge Before the Churches
The contrast between Kolkata’s Dignity Burial initiative and the misuse of deho chanda demands honest introspection.
If society and civic leaders can ensure free, dignified burials for the
poor, how can churches—called to embody Christ’s mercy—continue practices that
burden the grieving?
The contradiction is stark:
- On one side:
Free burials, compassion, unity, civic partnership, and service to the
abandoned.
- On the
other: Financial conditions on funerals, ledger-based pastoral care,
and fear-driven superstition.
This is not only a pastoral issue—it is a moral one. It concerns the very
identity of the Christian witness.
Proposals for Reform: Restoring Dignity in Death
Reform is both possible and urgently needed. Here are practical, compassionate steps:
1. Make Deho Chanda Voluntary, Not Compulsory: Replace mandatory fees with a voluntary community fund. Let the wealthy contribute more; let the poor be assisted freely.
2. Funeral Responsibility Should Be Communal, Not Penal: No family should be punished or humiliated at the moment of death. A parish is a family—its responsibility is shared.
3. Pastoral Care Must Never Depend on Money: Funeral rites, sacraments, and spiritual services cannot be conditional. They flow from vocation, not revenue.
4. Total Transparency in Burial Management: Publish expenses, eliminate middlemen, monitor graveyard staff, and create grievance cells to stop corruption and grave touting.
5. Collaboration with the Dignity Burial Initiative: Churches should actively partner with the Christian Burial Board to extend free burial options, especially for the poor.
Conclusion: A Call to Healing, Justice, and Compassion
The Dignity Burial initiative in Kolkata is not just a new civic programme—it is a prophetic sign. It reminds us that every human being, rich or poor, known or unknown, deserves to be laid to rest with honor.
At the same time, the misuse of deho chanda exposes
wounds within the Church that must be healed. A system meant for protection
should not become a source of fear. A place meant for solace must not become a
marketplace.
Reform is not merely desirable—it is a Gospel
imperative.
No grieving
family should ever have to negotiate fees at the door of the church.
No person should leave this world deprived of dignity because of poverty.
And no church should burden those whom Christ commanded us to serve freely.
As Kolkata leads by example, may all our Christian
communities embrace a renewed commitment:
To lift burdens,
not add to them.
To console, not commodify.
To offer dignity, always—especially at the final farewell.
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