Australia Inc. (SA), offers not-for-profit cremation and burial services, addressing both cost and time efficiency. Since the service is managed and delivered by volunteers, they have managed to reduce the cost to almost 50% of the market rate in Adelaide. This applies to cremations and burials and these can be completed within 24 to 48 hours.
Hindu Funeral Services also specialise in repatriation. While their cost is 35% less than the lowest rate in the market, they have achieved an unimaginable turnaround of just four days for a straightforward case, where someone passes away in hospital by natural causes, their remains are on the plane to home country in 4 working days. Volunteers will organise the priest, offer religious advice, and provide pastoral care to the family, who don’t have to go around to purchase any Samagri as everything is arranged and kept ready at the crematorium. VHP has also negotiated with the crematorium where the eldest son or daughter can introduce ‘Mukhagni’ (Fire) before the automated process occurs.
The initiative stemmed from community concerns about high costs and non-compliance with cultural practices. Community members were paying exorbitant amounts without receiving the quality service they deserved. There were also issues with services not aligning with the Shastras. Hindu Funeral Services is committed to delivering affordable, high-quality, professional, and prompt cremation and burial services. This initiative is specifically available through the VHP in South Australia, ensuring clarity and preventing any confusion for residents in other states. Their services are available for all Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs. They have recently coordinated some cremations and burials for people from Christian faith as well. “Our Dharma teaches us to help anyone and everyone in their moment of crisis and any opportunity to do so when offered by Bhagwan is gratefully accepted,” said Rajendra Pandey JP. The dedication to maintaining cultural integrity while providing compassionate and efficient services sets Hindu Funeral Services apart. “It is a testament to the community’s ability to support its members during challenging times, ensuring that loved ones receive the respect and care they deserve in their final journey,” added Rajendra Pandey.
Excerpts from a conversation with Mr Pandey.
❈ What inspired the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to start this not-for-profit funeral service in South Australia?
It all started during COVID when families were struggling to find service providers or navigate the modified process of repatriations in between lockdowns. This is when we commenced offering guidance and support by liaising with required agencies. Then there were few cases where the Coroners Court of South Australia was taking its own standard processing time and VHP was asked to step in to expedite the process. We did that by taking a much more active stance, writing letters and visiting the officials to impress how important it is for Hindus to have the cremation done at the earliest. Soon we realised that even though the body was being released the funeral homes were taking one week or more to book the cremation. I then registered myself as a Funeral Director to get paperwork done. This did help the duration but the Funeral Homes were still charging a lot from the family. Finally, we took the plunge and decided to start our full end-to-end service so that we can provide the service required, when it is required and in compliance with our Shastras, and the highest quality service at an affordable price.
I always consider it as a privilege that the Hindu community entrusts me with the responsibility of conducting the last rites of their loved one at the time when they are most vulnerable
❈ How have community members responded to the affordable and prompt services provided by Hindu Funeral Services?
The community response has been humbling to say the least. I always consider it as a privilege that the Hindu community entrusts me with the responsibility of conducting the last rites of their loved one at the time when they are most vulnerable. I am also grateful and feel blessed that the entire government machinery, our contractors and crematorium staff get behind each service and help me achieve such short turnaround times which you will not get anywhere in Australia.
❈ Can you share a specific instance where the quick turnaround time of your service made a significant difference for a family?
One of the most recent cases I worked on was where someone passed away at home on a weekend and luckily they had an amazing GP who came early in the morning and agreed to certify the cause of death. In this case we handed over the remains to the Airline on Thursday (4 days), which is significant considering that all documents have to be sent to the Indian Consulate in Sydney for signing and obtaining an original letter of permission.
❈ What are some of the unique challenges you face in providing these services?
There were many challenges, as enumerated above, and I still face a long list of them. However, I would rather not get into the difficulties we encountered to get here because now everything is working well. The most recent challenge I overcame was getting the death certificate and other documents apostilled by DFAT. This was particularly hurtful because they displayed total insensitivity even when I explained that I was requesting urgent processing due to a death case. This was a death certificate of a very young girl who had died and I went to DFAT to get it apostilled. They have a system where you cannot speak to them without an appointment and when you do attend, you have to leave the documents and can collect it only on the next day. DFAT even refused to accept the application without an appointment even when I said that I just want to leave the application and document with you and will collect it tomorrow. I had to go back, book an appointment for D+1 day and then collect the apostilled document on D+2 day.
❈ Outcome of this delay was that the family could not take the ashes with them to India. There is nothing more heartbreaking when a father says to you, ‘Does that mean that I have to leave my daughter behind?’
I am still continuously trying to educate DFAT that they should provide some consideration for the requests when dealing with death cases.
The other issues include, cost of cremation goes up by $1700 if you want to do cremation on a weekend, Death Certificates have to be sent to Indian Consulate in Sydney for stamping, we are still forced to use a Coffin which is not required for us, and mandatory full post mortem being conducted on almost all bodies that are referred to the coroner, which is traumatising for the family when they see the body.
The most interesting challenge that I am yet to solve is that with many mainstream Australians who follow Hindu faith, want a cremation. I already have requests from two neo-Hindus, that I should not only organise their cremation as per Hindu rites but also take their ashes to the Ganges in India.
❈ How do you ensure that the funeral services align with the cultural practices and Shastras of the Hindu community?
We have done significant research and consultations with religious authorities to come up with a compendium of requirements for last rites of Hindus. It is published on our website. (https://www.vhpsa.org.au/events_funeral.html). We have also created a group of priests who not only officiate at the last rites but also provide us advice and guidance when required.
I personally control and supervise each and every detail in planning and execution to ensure that all cultural practices that are specific to the family are adhered to and the family is aware of all prescribed rites while assisting them in following them as much as is practicable and feasible in Australia.
For more information contact Rajendra on 0416 650 525 | Venkat 0401 881 896 | Anish 0430 449 604 or email us at Hindu.Funeral@vhpsa.org.au
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🕉️🙏 Hindu Funeral Services, run by VHP Australia Inc. (SA), led by Rajendra Pandey, provides affordable cremation, burial, & repatriation services, adhering to cultural practices & offering prompt, compassionate support. 💐✈️🌍 #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/tkxO3CqGRv
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