The pandemic has created a demand for portable crematoriums in Kerala with many churches relying on it as an alternative to burying those who succumbed to Covid-19.
Covid victims’ families and relatives see portable crematoriums as a viable solution as the units can be used either inside the cemetery of churches or even outside.
“It is after we faced difficulties in disposing of bodies of our parishioners who died of Covid-19 that we started to think of making a portable crematorium,” said Fr Francis Areeckal, vicar of St Antony’s Church at Kizhakkambalam in Ernakulam district.
“We worked out the plan in consultation with an engineering contractor who is also a parishioner,” said Father Areeckal, who has claimed that they are willing to offer its services to “anybody cutting across barriers of caste and religion.”
“In case they need assistance for cremation, we have a team. They would volunteer their service,” the priest said. The portable crematorium they have made weighs 650 kg and can be transported in a pick-up van or a mini truck.