Thiruvananthapuram, July 28 (IANS) The head of the Catholic Diocese, Alappuzha, Bishop James Anamparambil, has decided to ensure that churches under his diocese undertake cremation of faithful who die of Covid-19.

The decision was taken after he held wide-ranging talks with authorities and others. The order, passed on to his church, has been accepted as the new order during Covid-19 times.

The issue arose in Alappuzha, basically a low-lying area with most places waterlogged, after two church members passed away. They had tested Covid-19 positive.

After the new order, they will be cremated in the church cemetery itself.

According to the traditional Christian rights, only burial is done not the cremation.

--IANS sg/pcj