What if, upon my death, my family or caretakers were unable to gather four individuals to act as pallbearers to carry my dead body to the cremation ground?

My ‘Official birthday’ is April 19, and on this special day, I receive warm wishes from many friends who consider it to be my real birthday.

Another notable personality I know who receives greetings on his ‘official birthday’ is our former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh. Interestingly, his real date of birth remains unknown. However, in my situation, that’s not the case.

Nevertheless, to make this day even more memorable, I’ve made a decision that might seem inconsequential to others but holds great importance to me.

Each year, as I graciously receive these greetings, I am reminded of my good fortune to be surrounded by such kind and considerate well-wishers.

However, that’s not all. Whenever I voice criticism towards specific individuals, policies, rituals, or decisions enacted by state or central authorities, I often find myself on the receiving end of well-intentioned advice from friends.

They urge caution and advocate for a more diplomatic approach to avoid potential conflicts.

Some of my intellectual friends often cite the lines of the eminent Punjabi poet Surjit Patar:

ਏਨਾ ਵੀ ਸੱਚ ਨਾ ਬੋਲ ਕਿ ‘ਕੱਲਾ ਰਹਿ ਜਾਵੇ,
ਚਾਰ ਕੁ ਬੰਦੇ ਛੱਡ ਲੈ ਮੋਢਾ ਦੇਣ ਲਈ

Aina vi sach na bol k kalla reh jaawein,
bas chaar ku bande shad lae modha den lyi.

(Don’t speak so much truth that you are left alone, You must leave at least four persons unprovoked, who may act as your pallbearers.)

I’ve been pondering over these words recently. What if, upon my death, my family or caretakers were unable to gather four individuals to act as pallbearers to carry my body to the cremation ground, often referred to as Swarga Dham. Would they feel burdened by guilt?

By the way, we all have read/watched news during the days of the COVID-19 pandemic when in many cases close family members would abandon the bodies of their relatives.

During this contemplation, I stumbled upon a quote by the American artist and thinker, David Wojnarowicz:

“I worry that friends will slowly become professional pallbearers, waiting for each death, of their lovers, friends and neighbors, and polishing their funeral speeches; perfecting their rituals of death rather than a relatively simple ritual of life such as screaming in the streets.”

This quote prompted me to contemplate the fate of my physical body after death. Would it truly matter if it were cremated, buried, or left unattended? Nevertheless, I firmly believe that the body is nothing without the soul.

Therefore, I’ve made a decision: there should never be a moment where my lifeless body lies unattended, awaiting four shoulders to carry it.

I understand that I may not have been exceptionally useful during my lifetime on this planet, but I believe that at the very least, my dead body should serve some purpose.

Hence, I’ve pledged to donate my body for medical research. Additionally, I’ve committed to organ donation.

Doctors should extract any useful organs from the deceased body, after which the remains should be handed over to medical students for their research and practical work.

I request my family members, relatives, friends, and anyone who even remotely knows me, is that if my death occurs nearby, please inform the relevant authorities immediately.

This will ensure that my body can be transported to the appropriate hospital or institution without delay, as organs have a limited time window for transplantation to another body.

As a final note, initially, I had decided to pledge to donate my organs after my death. My understanding was that after extracting whatever useful organs, my dead body would be handed over to my family for cremation.

When I discussed this with my son, the young man asked me with a mischievous smile and twinkling eyes, “But Sardar” (he addresses me like that whenever he is sure of having a scoring point), “how do you know that your organs would be fit enough to be of some usage? What will be the utility of the whole exercise if your organs are not useful?”

I was happy that at last we are on the same page, even if it’s regarding the decision on how to dispose of my dead body.

I asked him, “What if I donate my dead body for research and practical work of medical students?” His response was, “I don’t mind, but I’m not sure if even your corpse will be of any use.”

At that point, I realized that Ullu ka patha is feeling relieved and relaxed, knowing that he won’t have to bother with handling my dead body, arranging ice slabs, making funeral arrangements, gathering people to carry my corpse to the cremation ground, and then collecting ashes to immerse in a water body. After all, that’s the customary treatment of a deceased body.

But this time, I don’t want to disrupt his carefree lifestyle and deprive him of his enjoyment.

I also wish that upon receiving the news of my death – Poore ho gaye – my family members don’t rush to my living place to organize Antim Ardas or any condolence meeting.

Instead, I hope they choose to stay in their current locations. And if they are able to spare some time, they should pray for my soul’s liberation, so it may transcend the cycle of reincarnation and remain free for all eternity, unbound by any earthly vessel, be it that of a Homo sapiens or otherwise.

At last, but certainly not least, I express my gratitude to everyone for their kind wishes. And relax, buddies, you won’t have to worry about my last rites!

P.S.: Before you go, as you’ve reached this final sentence, please keep in mind that my wishlist is relevant only after my soul departs from my body. Until then, I’ll continue bothering you with my inane ideas and meaningless messages. Please bear with me.

(Kanwar Manjit Singh is the founder, editor, and publisher of the little-known media house, Punjab Today, and is often disregarded for his unconventional write-ups, posts, and tweets.) 

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रामदेव जैसे बाबा लोग इतने मज़े में क्यों हैं?