Hindu Federation
Forum On Disposition of Cremation Ashes & Remnants from Religious Offerings
August 8 2021
The Hindu Federation hosted a Forum on the Disposition of Cremation Ashes and Remnants from Religious Offerings via Zoom on July 21, 2021. There were 56 participants, representing Hindu Federation member organizations (Hindu temples), Hindu Priests, Conservation Authorities, Funeral Homes, and a Municipality.
Pandit Roopnauth Sharma, President of the Hindu Federation, was the Forum’s Moderator.
The purpose of the Forum was to provide information with respect to:
- Cremation Ashes Disposition Sites – current and future sites, their ongoing maintenance, future upgrades, etc.
- Challenges with respect to the Disposition of Remnants from Religious Offerings
Cremation Ashes Disposition Sites
Pandit Sharma referenced the current Cremation Ashes Disposition Sites (Peak Trail Open Space in Pickering, Bronte Provincial Park in Oakville and McNab Park in Norval), details of all of which can be found on the Hindu Federation’s website.
He made mention of the Restoration project (which includes the planting of trees and shrubs) at the Pickering site due to loss of shoreline as a result of rising water levels. This issue was identified by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) in conjunction with the City of Pickering. The Hindu Federation is bearing the cost of the project, with the actual planting being done by TRCA.
Pandit Sharma also indicated that the Hindu Federation will be looking to bring existing sites (e.g. Forks of the Credit River in Caledon) under its umbrella, as well as exploring new sites (e.g. working with the Radha Krishna Mandir in Cambridge in their quest for a site along the Grand River in Cambridge).
There is a need to maintain existing sites (including regular clean up), as well as to install structures (e.g. gazebos) to assist families as they perform the last rites for their loved ones.
Disposition of Remnants from Religious Offerings
Representatives from the Conservation Authorities of Toronto and Peel and from The Town of Halton spoke at length about this issue, which was brought to the Hindu Federation’s attention many years ago. It was re-iterated that only bio-degradable items (such as leaves and flowers) are allowed to be disposed of in bodies of running water. Other items (such as fruits, murthis, plastic, etc. are not allowed).
Representatives from a number of Hindu Federation member organizations (including Vishnu Mandir, Devi Mandir, Radha Krishna Mandir, Datta Yoga Centre, Mississauga Ram Mandir, Hindu Heritage Centre and Rameshwar Mandir) provided information as to their temple’s policy.
A number of Pandits who were on the Forum also provided information that they convey to their congregants. The policy, as well as the information conveyed by Pandits, was consistent with that outlined above (i.e. only bio-degradable items are allowed). Congregants are encouraged to compost non bio-degradable items in their backyard.
With respect to the disposition of cremation ashes, a representative from one Funeral Home suggested the use of a bio-degradable urn, which would eliminate the use of boxes and the resulting issue of undisposed remnants. This was well-received by all, including by representatives from the other two Funeral Homes who had joined the Zoom call.