All set for an exit plan

A funeral management company in the city is offering services to plan your own funeral

Salvation is for real now. A funeral management company in the city is offering Moksha Seva, a scheme to plan one’s funeral well in advance. And Mumbaikars appear to be welcoming the proposition with its trademark stoicism.

It was on one of his regular morning walks near Shivaji Park, that Sham Lele chanced upon an advertisement from Sukhant Funeral Management. “I am 70 and both my sons live outside Mumbai — one lives in Pune and the other is abroad. So when I die, I would not like to put my family in trouble with the complications of my funeral,” says Lele.

He shared a recent experience, which gave him the impetus to take a decision of planning his own funeral. “Recently, my brother-in-law expired and he had wanted to donate his organs. But due to the negligence of the officials, the organs couldn’t be preserved. So to keep my family away from paper-work, I chose to subscribe to the plan,” he says.

Sanjay Ramgude, co-founder of Sukhant, who is also a cinematographer for corporate films, says it was during one of his trips to Varanani that the germ of the idea caught on. “I was shooting near the ghat where bodies were being brought for cremation. I spoke to several, and heard about the distress that the families of the deceased have to suffer. And I realised that if we plan everything, right from our birth, why not have a plan for death, since it is inevitable,” he says.

“I live alone, my husband has passed away and my son is in the UK. Although we keep visiting each other every year, and we are in good terms, I realised that it would be difficult for him to run behind officials here in the city. So when I first saw their advertisement, I was immediately convinced to plan my funeral, especially the part where they would take care of my organ donation,” says 65-year-old Indrani Desai.

One would tend to assume that talking about one’s death would make someone uncomfortable, but both Lele and Desai seemed to have come to terms with the Grim Reaper. “When I initially shared the plan with my wife, she was a bit surprised, but soon she was also convinced. Death is a part of the process, so why not plan for it as well This way at least I can take the burden off the shoulders of my near and dear ones,” says Lele. Echoing similar stoicism, Desai says, “For me organ donation is a very important feature of the plan. When we know that an organ can help another human being, why would I want to burn it Also, the rituals have lost their meaning, and even there, the priests have their customised packages. I would rather help than seek salvation through rituals.” She further pointed out the necessity to raise awareness among the older generation. “I have started speaking to my friends and relatives and sensitise them regarding various kinds of organ donation, although they are aware of eye, kidney, etc, they seem to have no idea about skin donation, which is also something very important,” she says.

In addition, Sukhant will also make a short documentary on the person. “The idea is to keep acknowledgement in record. At their funeral, we will screen it for their family,” added Ramgude.

What the Moksha Seva plan promises: A respectful and dignified funeral. The final rites will not remain for family and friends to arrange, and rituals will be carried out in the way the client wants them.

Save one’s family and friends the stress of making funeral arrangements at a time they are mourning

Organ donation scheme

Leave behind fond memories, voice messages, pictures for children, grand-children, friends and loved ones to cherish

To know more about Sukhant, log on to: http://www.sukhantfuneral.com/