Malacca's Gujarati community fears 'talking to dead' funeral rites may soon be lost

Malacca, Jan 16(ANI): The Gujarati community in Malacca has expressed fears that funeral rites involving talking to the dead may soon die out due to a lack of interest by the younger generation.

A Malay- Indian, Nishrint Chimanlal Ravichand, who has been performing the rites for the past ten years, hoped that his son would keep the tradition alive.

"I must pass it down as I am getting old. I am afraid there will be no more replacement to manage the funeral rites for the community in future," The Star quoted Nishrint, as saying.

His son Kailash, 21, is keen to continue performing the rites, but he is currently studying at a university in Kuala Lumpur.

Nishrint said part of the rites involve talking to the dead.

"I communicate with the dead, requesting the deceased to relax so I can carry out my chores without problems," he said.

Nishrint said some people do not touch orphans' dead bodies because they believe it to be a sign of ill- luck.

"In such cases, I carry out the rites alone without anybody assisting me," he said.

He also rejected a belief that touching a dead body could lead to bad luck, pointing out that he has been blessed with good health and wealth since he first volunteered to carry out the rites. (ANI)