The new crematorium, costing Dh2.5 million, replaces the traditional cremation ground at Al Ghusais outside the city.

According to the Indian consul general in Dubai Asoke Kumar Mukerji, the crematorium was earmarked in the master plan of the Dubai municipality and has been constructed on a site allotted by the civic body to the Indian community.

The new crematorium is being landscaped and complies with environment-friendly and pollution control equipment and took one year to construct. The crematorium oven has been manufactured by a US company.

The Indian community's crematorium committee comprises businessmen and other professionals who are long-time residents of the emirate. According to an Indian Association official, it was decided to move the cremation ground away from a residential area.

Earlier, the cremation ground was located far away from the city. While costs of the cremating in Dubai have gone from Dh1000 to Dh2000, the money raised goes to meet the operational costs and maintenance.

Indian Association officials said the cremation grounds can be used by anybody from other nationalities who have left instructions to their families that they wish to be cremated. So far, the new facility has been used for seven cremations. In a year, the cremations number around 50.

The officials said a booklet will be published regarding procedures to be followed in case of natural death, accidental death, embalming of the body prior to shipping them to India and retrieval of bodies from the mortuary.

It will be available from Indian Associations in Dubai and Northern Emirates and will be posted at the Consulate-General of India's website (www.cgidubai.com).

India Abroad News Service