Ahmedabad: A Mumbai-based Parekh family turned to the internet for help after a distant relative, who had been away from home for years and had little contact with the extended family, died in Ahmedabad. With only one cousin in the city and no local support, the family googled “who performs the last rites of unclaimed bodies in Ahmedabad.” One of the first contacts they found was Rohit Patel, who has been conducting final rites for unclaimed bodies for several years.“I have been performing the last rites of unclaimed bodies for the past few years, and this was about the 61st such case for me. But I was surprised that they found me through a search engine,” Patel said. “The cousin approached me with the request, and I told them to ensure they get the body. I would do the rest.”The deceased man was reportedly found dead near Geeta Mandir bus depot. Kagdapith police registered a case of accidental death. To claim the body, members of the Parekh family travelled to Ahmedabad with identity documents. They informed investigators that the man had left home years ago. Patel said the family had no friends or relatives in Ahmedabad to assist with the cremation. “I arranged people who helped carry the body and stayed for the rites,” he said. “While I mostly perform last rites for unclaimed bodies, such cases are also increasing, where families are helpless because a death occurs in a city where they have no support.”Patel said the Parekh family offered to cover all expenses, but he declined to treat the service as paid work. “Ever since I started this work, I have not done it for money. It is a service to society.The last rites were performed on Wednesday. On Saturday, Patel received a note of gratitude from the Parekh family.
