Tuning itself to the demands of a globalised world in this cyber age, Noida's only crematorium will allow users in the US or UK to watch live the last rites of their family members.

It will be equipped with close circuit TV cameras connected with dedicated broadband Internet lines that will allow people to witness the funeral of their family members or relatives from any part of the world if they are not able to make it to the city in time.

It is to be noted here that Noida has a huge population of computer experts NRIs
"The facility will allow the family members to witness the last rites of the family members.
 
The system would of particular interest to residents of Noida as there is a large number of families, who have members settled abroad," said Harish Chandra, a member of the NGO Noida Vikas Samiti, which looks after the crematorium Antim Niwas.

The system also provides the capability for the users to zoom in and out and focus to give a better look at the proceedings.

Once the cameras are installed in the crematorium, the family members would be provided passwords of the yet to be named website of the crematorium and they would be able to witness the cremation for around two hours. The users will have to pay a fees for the use of the service. "We have not yet decided the fees to be charged for the service," he said.                


Funeral website for NRIs

"But I think it will be around Rs 2,000 for people living outside India," said Harish  Chandra.

The idea to install cameras in the crematorium and connect it to the web came is the brainchild of a city resident. His mother had passed away and only he could make it to Noida from the US in time. "His wife and family could not come along with him and he was very sad that she could not even witness the last rites of her mother-in-law.

He suggested us to do something in this direction so that people can at least be 'present' during the last journey of their near and dear ones. A few more such cases happened and we thought that something should be done to help people in this direction," said Manish Saxena, a member of the Noida Vikas Samiti.

The NGO also plans to cut the CD of the whole ceremony in case a power cut or some other interruption block the user's view. The new facility is being installed at a cost of Rs 7 lakh, which was collected by way of donations.