A society is judged not only by how it cares for those who are alive, but also by how it honours its dead. The final journey of a human being is one of life’s most solemn moments, deserving of reverence, compassion, and dignity.
Yet, despite remarkable progress in many spheres of public life, one basic civic necessity, a hearse, a specially designed vehicle used for carrying the deceased to the final resting place, remains conspicuously absent.
A hearse is far more than a vehicle. It is the final mark of respect that society pays to one of its own.
In Islamic faith, the dignity bestowed upon human beings does not end with death. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “Indeed, we have honoured the children of Adam.”
Death is one certainty that awaits us all. One day, each of us will leave this immortal world, and every deceased person deserves a farewell marked by dignity.
In the old neighbourhoods of downtown Srinagar, graveyards were usually located within or close to the residential localities. Whenever a death occurred, neighbours, relatives, and friends would gather to shoulder the coffin, taking turns to carry it to the nearby graveyard where the body would be lowered into the grave. Grief was shared. It was a social act to show empathy with the bereaved.
It was more than a tradition; a profound expression of solidarity, humility, and also shared responsibility.
As Srinagar expanded, families moved to newer localities while their ancestral graveyards remained behind. Yet the emotional bond with these resting places endured.
Many families continue to bury their loved ones alongside generations of their forefathers, even if it means travelling considerable distances. With changing times, carrying a coffin over long distances has become increasingly impractical.
Open load carriers gradually filled the gap. But they fall way short of the solemnity the occasion demands and deserves. The sight of a departed loved one being transported in a goods’ vehicle is difficult to reconcile with. Given the richness of Kashmir’s culture, it is a fall from grace.
The hardship becomes even greater during the scorching summer months or in torrential rains and snowfall, when grieving family members are often compelled to stand throughout the journey in the same vehicle, adding physical discomfort to emotional anguish.
A hearse, therefore, is not a luxury but a basic civic necessity. It ensures a dignified final journey while allowing bereaved families the composure to complete the last rites with due solemnity.
During a casual conversation, one of my old pals, Iftikhar Drabu, told me that several years ago, during his association with Auqaf Islamia, he had proposed the procurement of four hearses in the Srinagar city.
Unfortunately, the proposal did not receive approval. With the Auqaf institution now functioning under a new governing body, the time may be right to revisit the initiative. The financial outlay would be modest, but its humanitarian value immeasurable.
A fleet of four or five hearses, strategically stationed across Srinagar and its adjoining areas, should be sufficient to meet the city’s needs. The service could be managed by the Auqaf, mosque committees, or other community institutions and made available on a nominal user-charge basis, ensuring both accessibility and sustainability.
The historic Malkhah [graveyard around Rainawari and Nowhatta] areas associated with Hazrat Mir Sayyid Ali best known as Amir-e-Kabir or Shah-e-Hamadan (RA) titles, where a substantial area has already been properly fenced could take the lead by introducing such a facility.
The management of the Malkhah, in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, may consider spearheading this humanitarian initiative.
Given its historical and religious significance, it would set an example worthy of emulation.
Philanthropic organisations, too, can play a meaningful role. Many NGOs have rendered invaluable public service by providing ambulances for the sick and injured. Extending that same spirit of service to facilitate the final journey of the deceased would be an equally noble contribution.
As an aside, it is heartening to learn that our Sikh brethren have introduced such a facility at one of the city’s Gurudwaras. The initiative deserves appreciation. It demonstrates that respect for human dignity transcends religious and social boundaries.
Providing a dignified means of transporting the deceased requires relatively little expenditure, yet its humanitarian value is immense. It is a small investment that speaks volumes about the values of a compassionate society.
The Auqaf authorities, mosque committees, charitable organisations, NGOs, and concerned citizens should come together to make this long-overdue service a reality.
A hearse is not an extravagance but a necessity. It may well be the last act of kindness we can offer a fellow human being. A dignified final journey is the last right every one of us deserves!
