Valley''s dead get quiet burial as families opt for brief funerals

QUOTE: “In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, we would like to inform our friends, relatives and acquaintances that congregational ‘fateh khwani’ will not be held. However, you are requested to recite Quran and pray for the departed soul,” a notice by bereaved family

M Aamir Khan

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, April 4

Local newspapers are these days splashed with obituaries announcing the cancellation of the congregational funeral prayers. A few bereaved families also urged people not to visit their residences to offer condolence.

“In the wake of the Covid outbreak, we would like to inform our friends, relatives and acquaintances that congregational ‘fateh khwani’ will not be held. However, you are requested to recite Quran and pray for the departed soul,” read a notice of a bereaved family in a local daily.

Though another notice announced that the congregational prayers would be held at their ancestral graveyard, it said no ‘mourning meeting’ would be held at their residence.

“Fateh khwani will be held…(but) no mourning meeting will be held at the residence due to the prevailing situation,” the notice read.

While some bereaved families went ahead with the routine mourning functions, they said not many had come to offer condolences.

“My uncle passed away recently but we restricted the mourning period to three days only. However, a few people came to offer condolences and the funeral ceremony was also brief. And, those who came, mostly kept their visits brief,” said Asif Ahmad, a local.

However, he said many persons were not taking the coronavirus threat seriously and were still offering handshakes.

“Unfortunately, people not just who come to mourn, but, by and large, can still be seeing shaking hands and hugging each other. People are also going to mosques and it can prove dangerous,” said Asif.

Meanwhile, several locals are urging people on the social media to avoid social and religious gatherings and practice social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The residents are also being encouraged to avoid meeting the pilgrims who have returned after offering ‘Umrah’ in Saudi Arabia.

Usually, people who return from ‘Umrah’ are visited by their kith and kin for days together upon their arrival.