Kannur: Relatives who arrived at the Payyambalam crematorium on the third day after a funeral were shocked to find that the grave had already been covered after the ashes were collected.

The family had arrived to collect the deceased person's remains as part of the customary post-funeral rituals. However, an inquiry revealed that the ashes from the grave had been collected by another group the previous day.

The mix-up occurred because the tokens given to the deceased’s relatives to collect the remains on the third day after the funeral were accidentally exchanged.

Relatives return after dispute is settled

The relatives, from Chala, were distressed after finding that they could not perform the post-funeral rituals as planned. However, after discussions with the crematorium management, the matter was resolved amicably and they left the premises.

The situation took a turn when a group of people later arrived at the crematorium and allegedly assaulted staff members.

Ranjan (51) of Chalad Manal, who works at the crematorium, his assistant Palani (40) and Health Department official Rajesh Kumar were injured in the incident. Ranjan sustained an injury to his forehead.

The incident led to a commotion at the crematorium.

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Correct ashes collected later

After learning about the mix-up, the people from Koodali who had mistakenly collected someone else’s ashes instead of those of their deceased relative arrived at the crematorium by noon.

They collected the ashes from the correct grave and completed the customary rituals.

The incident also caused a long delay in other funeral ceremonies scheduled at the crematorium.

Corporation councillors Anoop Balan and Umeshan Kaniyankandi intervened to help speed up the pending funeral arrangements. Health Standing Committee chairperson Sreeja Madathil also visited the crematorium.
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Issue discussed at corporation council meeting

The incident was also discussed at the Kannur Corporation council meeting held on Monday afternoon.

Council members said overcrowding by people attending funeral ceremonies often create problems at the crematorium.

The council also condemned the assault on the crematorium staff.