Fernando do Rego

143-Fontainhas

Pangim. Goa 

To

The Editor

Renovação- Navhind Times – Gomantak Times – Herald  -

 Vauraddeacho Ixtt and Goan Observer.

                            Christian Funeral Rites in Goa

Sir,

It is historically worthy of note and devotionally a very welcome change that the funeral rites of the Christians have changed for simpler and more significant ceremonies. Here in Goa, in the bygone days, they were for the families of the deceased a time for “display”, sometimes an almost ridiculous show with de-luxe coffins and other particulars rather long to mention. The religious ceremonies were also melodramatic, with the Celebrant in black vestments, the whole liturgy in church and cemetery held in Latin, including hymns that “painted” death as a tragedy rather than a smooth awaited passage from this life to the eternal. Hope, a living Hope in the resurrection that awaits us, as Jesus promised, could hardly be fostered in such a context.

The new orientation given by Vatican II to the life as well the religious and civic actions of Catholics was the dawn of long overdue changes. Religious rites are now in the local languages, and so understandable to the respective participants. The Readings from the Scriptures (in the vernacular), chosen according to each occasion, as also the changes introduced in the rites themselves make the respective liturgical ceremonies much more meaningful.

So the funeral rites have now become the occasion for gaining a deeper Christian understanding of death itself and of afterlife.

More radical changes for the better have begun to take place also for the actual funeral. As per tradition among us Christians, the dead person had to be buried, perhaps a custom which came from the Jewish background of Christianity. But now the Church allows cremation, and this is being done occasionally even in Goa.

Some weeks back, when I attended the funeral of Brigadier Inocencio Monteiro, I was happy to notice that the coffin was not the usual wooden one - expectedly expensive for the burial of a Brigadier! - but rather a modest one made of bamboo and very beautifully adorned with flowers  -  these being a very significant token of the affection and respect due to the deceased person and a discreet way of dispelling the gloom that usually surrounds the departure of a loved one. I had seen the same on two earlier occasions, but this time I was most impressed by it.  I was also impressed to see that the body was not dressed in full Army regalia to which he was entitled,but with a simple and modest kurta- pijama

According to Brig. Monteiro’s instructions, as I learnt, the body  was cremated at the SantaInes Crematorium, previously   meant  for the Hindu Community, but now open to one and all who so desire. Having attended also the cremation, I personally feel, for various reasons, that an optional electric crematorium should be installed in Panjim, maybe within the very same premises. Perhaps also in other cities.

Reverting now to the question of coffins, this time I inquired from where the Monteiro Family had brought the coffin, as they are not seen among our usual suppliers of Coffins. And I learnt that it was prepared at Ishaprema-Niketan (Assagao- Tel:268.8913), a charitable institution also open to all creeds and maintained since its inception exclusively by freely offered donations towards any and all of their various social services.

So the I-N does not charge any fixed fees to those who approach them to prepare a bamboo coffin. The Sisters accept to comply with the request according to their concrete possibilities. They leave it to the concerned parties to become aware of the kind of Home that renders them this service and all that the same demands, and so to contribute freely towards the Home.

The use of such modest coffins is certainly, in my opinion, an example to be followed and encouraged among all Christians. If the Church has radically changed for the better the religious rites, we must also change our civic customs.

Quite a few persons, I suggest, could take up the preparation of such coffins as one of their means of livelihood.

Fernando do Rego