Cemetery Space Crunch & Global Trends Fuel Rise In Cremations Among Mumbai Catholics

Mumbai's Roman Catholic community is increasingly choosing cremation over burial due to shortage of cemetery space and rising maintenance costs.

Father Joseph D'Souza reported that 10 out of every 100 Catholic funerals now end in cremation, up from 1-2 per 100 two decades ago.

Sunil Colaco of Lonica Undertakers observed cremation becoming common, especially in Bandra where families abroad prefer taking ashes.

The Catholic Church permits cremation but prefers burial, emphasizing that remains must be treated with reverence.

Families often donate the coffin used in funeral Mass to undertakers for reuse by poorer families after cremation.