A crematorium in Coimbatore gives bereaved families saplings of hope

Coimbatore: Death is not the end, but a new beginning -- this is what many bereaved relatives might think as they leave the Athupalam Corporation Crematorium in Coimbatore city after cremating their dear ones. There is an enduring reason for this as a sapling is placed in the hands of the bereaved family after every cremation there.This thoughtful initiative is being carried out by Pasiyara Soru Trust, a city-based NGO founded by Raja Sethu Murali. Since assuming responsibility of the crematorium in January this year, Sethu Murali has stood beside 330 families in their moments of loss. With each farewell, he has offered a guava sapling, hoping that sorrow may one day bloom into something green, healing and enduring.The gesture is simple yet deeply moving. In a time when words often fail, the sapling gives families something to hold on, something to nurture and something that continues to live in memory of the one they have lost. Sethu Murali believes that because these plants are tied to the memory of a beloved parent, sibling, or relative, they are cared for with extraordinary affection.There is a reason why he chooses guava saplings. Unlike large trees that demand wide spaces, guavas can grow in modest surroundings. They bear fruit, require less maintenance and are valued for their medicinal qualities. Though each sapling costs him up to Rs 200, he gives them freely, seeing them as a small but meaningful offering of comfort.His support does not end there. Understanding the financial strain many families face during funeral, he provides essential materials for final rituals free of cost.What makes the initiative especially touching is what happens afterward. Many families return on the third day, carrying photographs of the saplings they have planted at home or in safe open spaces. They speak with emotion about watering them, sitting beside them, and watching them grow.