Antim Prasthan: Redevelopment of Worli Crematorium
As a family, we have never forgotten our painful experience performing the last rites of our dearly departed father. After over a decade of aiding over 14,000 Mumbai families through Antim Samskar Seva, we felt it was time to take our work a step further with Antim Prasthan, our vision to redevelop Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Smashan Bhumi at Dr E. Moses Rd.
Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Smashan Bhumi is a critical project as it is one of the few non-denominational crematoriums in Mumbai. All services will be offered free of cost, making it accessible to all sections of society. We envision it as a living memorial that honours the solemnity of death. We invite you to partner with us in creating this unique, world-class facility.
In 2019, Hiralal Parekh Parivar Charity Trust signed a joint MOU with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to redevelop one of the city’s largest cremation sites and burial grounds: Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Smashan Bhumi, located on Dr E Moses Road. We have also been asked to manage and maintain the facility for the first five years.
Worli Crematorium today…
The last thing one wants to encounter while performing the last rites of a deceased loved one are shards of broken bottles, loose packs of playing cards and trash on the ground; or the cheers of young boys playing cricket while bereaved families are seeking solace.
Yet this is the condition at Worli crematorium today – A series of tin sheds and unimaginative concrete structures that serve as pyres and waiting areas. We think Mumbaikars deserve better.
The Problem
Mumbai has a total of 202 crematoria and cemeteries, of which MCGM manages 64. Most of these 64 are poorly maintained, strewn with rubbish and overgrown vegetation. Unrestricted access with little to no security means that many are used as drinking and gambling spaces.
Though Mumbai’s crematoriums are frequented daily, the lack of maintenance and consideration has resulted in perfunctory and unimaginative architecture.
Our Vision
To transform the current site at Mata Ramabai Ambedkar Smashan Bhumi into a space that provides dignity to the departed, regardless of their beliefs or status in society. And in doing so, become a testament to the incredible magnanimity of a city that we are all an integral part of.
Mourners, bereaved families, as well as visitors, need a calming place – a sanctuary within the maddening chaos of our frenetic city. A place where one feels comforted that the soul has been at last laid peacefully to rest. In Mumbai today, unfortunately no such space exists, therefore we, the Hiralal Parekh Parivar Charity Trust, have taken on the mission to create such a place for reflection.
Testimonials from our supporters:
“Every human being deserves dignity in death. The Mahindra Group is happy to support the Antim Prasthan project through which a world class crematorium will be built in the city of Mumbai. This will provide bereaved families with a calm and serene ambience as they bid a respectful farewell to their loved one.”
— Anand Mahindra
Executive Chairman, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
“Most crematoria in Mumbai lack that ambience and we desperately need such a place in our city. If one such iconic project comes up, I am sure that some others will also think of improving other crematoria. Knowing how well the Trust runs Antim Sanmkar Seva – to assist bereaved families, I had no hesitancy in committing a donation for this project once it takes off.”
— Kishore V. Mariwala
Chairman, Koyla Ki Pyrolysers Pvt. Ltd
“Although there are many charitable organisations and corporates who contribute to a large number of social causes, the subject of performing last tires for our loved ones has not received much attention from our Society. Antim Prasthan is now filling a big gap by providing a model of what kind of facilities crematoriums should have in order to give the right environment for the grieving families.
— Madhukar Parekh
Chairman, Pidilite Ltd.
Antim Prasthan is supported by:
GRAND BENEFACTORS (5cr & above)
JSW Foundation
Mahindra Group
Tata Group
BENEFACTORS (2.5cr & above)
Kotak Mahindra Bank
PATRONS (1cr & above)
Bhogilal Leherchand Foundation / Batliboi Ltd
HDFC (HT Parekh Foundation)
Hemendra Kothari Foundation
Kishore Mariwala
Pidilite Industries Ltd.
SUPPORTERS (50lakhs & above)
ATE Chandra Foundation
Hindustan Unilever Ltd
IPCA Laboratories
NOCIL Ltd.
NRB Bearings Ltd.
WELL-WISHERS (15lakhs & above)
K V Kamath
Pushpa Ramesh Mantri
Uday Khanna
Vimesh Zaveri
In-kind support
Cooling: Blue Star Ltd.
Waterproofing: Pidilite Industries Ltd.
Printing: Vakil & Sons
Mumbaikars are known for our tremendous capacity to rise up and overcome collective challenges. Thus our hope is that, by pooling funds and resources from concerned philanthropists we can build a space that belongs to all of us. This is an opportunity for families and individuals to express their largesse and memorialise their departed loved ones.
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