ALAPPUZHA: In a remarkable effort to break age-old taboos and change public perception, the Punnapra South panchayat in Alappuzha has transformed its crematorium into a serene community space. Once a place that was put-offish, the cremation ground in Adhyapadam now welcomes people who come to relax, reflect, and spend their evenings in its calm surroundings.
At a cost of Rs 1.05 crore, the panchayat has built a modern gas crematorium, a spacious auditorium, and a landscaped park on 64 cents of land, setting a model for how such spaces can also provide dignity to the departed.
According to panchayat president P G Cyrus, the transformation was both an environmental and social mission. “The land was once used as a dumping yard, with a small portion serving as a cremation site. It wore a deserted and weird look. People visited the place only for funerals. Two years ago, we decided to change all that. Our aim was to modernise the crematorium and make the entire area a space of dignity and comfort,” he said.
Initially, the panchayat envisioned creating a European-style cemetery with space for homage and parking, but the lack of adequate land led to a revised plan.
“Architects suggested that we needed at least one acre, which wasn’t possible. So, we chose to build a gas crematorium with a garden and auditorium,” Cyrus said. The result is a space that balances solemnity with serenity. The tiled walkways, flowering plants, and fruit trees have brought new life to the site.
Over 100 fruit-bearing trees and 250 flowering plants brighten the area, while benches and painted walls invite people to spend time in the garden. The panchayat also constructed a modern auditorium with seating for 300 people, now used for community events and cultural programmes.
“People can also book the hall for public functions at a nominal rate,” Cyrus said. Adding to the charm, a Kudumbashree unit runs a cafeteria in the park.
Punnapra South has become the first panchayat in the state to convert a cremation ground into a public garden. Reghunath K P, a local resident, said the initiative has not only beautified the area but also changed the way they perceive death and remembrance. “It’s peaceful here now,” he says. “We come for evening walks. It reminds us that life and death can coexist beautifully.”