Chennai: Greater Chennai Corporation will improve the appearance and atmosphere of the crematorium in the city.
This step came after a packed facility during the second wave of Covid-19 when the city recorded more than 30,000 deaths only in April and May.
According to officials, corporations plan to identify international famous artists and architects on landscape and maintain crematoriums through corporate social responsibility (CSR) or grant-based models.
The Civic body has 41 crematoriums where 37 has electric facilities.
But officials believe that they do not have a good image in the public.
Funeral premiums and crematoriums present a bleak picture and are often preferred to provide comfort and entertainment from the deceased.
“When waiting time in the crematorium increases, relatives are expected to wait in place.
At present, the outskirts of the crematorium exterior are very basic and sometimes lacks cleanliness facilities, landscaping and maintenance.
It makes experience more difficult for relatives especially during the depressed period,” said an official.
Interior facilities are managed by corporations, but the exterior suburbs may get installations such as stone statues, seating, green plantations, gazebos, informal seating areas, ponds and other aesthetic signs.
The identified contractor also needs to maintain this correctly and ensure that the last rite is a dignified experience for families and friends who die.
An official at one of the crematoriums in Central Chennai, which was close to several hospitals, said even the entrance was not paved.
The crematorium also lacks signs and boards that explain the normal crematorium process, even though the facilities offered by the Civic Agency.
Residents often face problems such as bribery payments to local staff.
Some cannot distinguish between on-roll staff and outsiders who act as brokers.
After several complaints during peak pandemic, the corporation began overseeing the crematorium using a CCTV camera, a recording from which was monitored from the command and control center.