In the heart of Delhi, where life moves at a frenzied pace and people often turn a blind eye to the unseen and unheard, 26-year-old Pooja Sharma stands as a symbol of quiet courage and deep compassion. Born and raised in the capital, Pooja's journey was not shaped by privilege but by purpose. She grew up in modest circumstances, in a society where women are rarely expected—or allowed—to step into spaces traditionally dominated by men, particularly the profoundly ritualistic and emotionally heavy domain of funeral rites. Yet, it was this very space that Pooja chose to occupy, breaking norms and challenging societal expectations. Her story is not one of seeking attention but one of responding to a deep human need: the need for dignity in death, especially for those who have no one left to grieve for them.
Pooja's journey began in 2022 when a chance encounter changed her life. While visiting a hospital, she witnessed an unclaimed body left unattended for days, the final rites left unperformed simply because there was no one to take responsibility. Deeply moved by the sight, and disturbed by the thought that a life could end without even the smallest ritual of farewell, Pooja decided to step in. That single act of humanity sparked a mission—one that would see her perform the last rites for over 4,000 unclaimed and unidentified bodies across Delhi. Her work is both physically and emotionally taxing, yet she carries it out with unwavering dedication, often battling bureaucratic hurdles, societal judgments, and personal trauma. For Pooja, it is not about fame or recognition—it is about making sure that even the most forgotten among us are given a respectful goodbye. Her work is not just a service to the dead but a wake-up call to the living—to be more humane, more mindful, and more compassionate.
The Issue of Unclaimed Bodies in Delhi:
In a bustling metropolis like Delhi, home to over 20 million people, death is a daily occurrence—but what happens when someone dies with no family to claim their body? The sad reality is that hundreds of bodies lie unclaimed each year in the city’s mortuaries and hospitals, waiting for someone to come forward. These individuals may be homeless, migrants, abandoned elders, or victims of accidents and crimes. According to civic data, thousands of unclaimed bodies are reported annually in Delhi alone, with many left untouched for days. The municipal authorities often take over their disposal, but due to limited resources, these are done hastily, with minimal dignity or rituals. In some cases, even that doesn’t happen on time, and the bodies decay in overcrowded morgues. While these individuals disappear silently from the world, society at large remains unaware or indifferent to the scale and seriousness of the issue.
What makes this situation more troubling is the deep-rooted social stigma and apathy surrounding death—especially deaths of those considered “nobody’s people.” Many citizens are hesitant to get involved due to fear of police questioning, legal formalities, or spiritual taboos. Religious and cultural beliefs often dictate that last rites should only be performed by family members, particularly male relatives, further isolating the kinless dead. This mindset not only delays the performance of final rites but strips away the deceased’s last chance at dignity. Furthermore, there’s little public conversation about this issue, and very few organizations or individuals step in to bridge the gap. The lack of a structured system for ensuring respectful farewells for such individuals highlights a serious moral and administrative vacuum. However, amidst this indifference, people like Pooja Sharma bring light to a neglected truth—that even those who die alone deserve to leave the world with the same respect as anyone else. Her work raises awareness not just about forgotten bodies but about the forgotten humanity in our systems and society.
Beginning of her Mission:
Pooja Sharma’s extraordinary journey began in 2022 with a deeply moving incident that left a lasting impact on her. While at a government hospital in Delhi, she noticed an unclaimed body that had been lying there for days. No family, no mourners, no one to perform the final rites. The image disturbed her deeply—how could someone’s life end with no closure, no farewell? That moment stirred something within her. With a strong sense of empathy and purpose, she decided to perform the last rites for the stranger. What began as a single act of compassion soon turned into a lifelong mission. Since then, Pooja has performed the final rites for over 4,000 unclaimed and abandoned bodies across the city, treating each one with the same respect and rituals as she would for a loved one.
However, the path was far from easy. As a young woman stepping into a space largely dominated by men, she faced criticism, suspicion, and resistance from society. Some questioned her intentions, while others believed that a woman had no place performing cremation rituals. She also encountered bureaucratic challenges—dealing with police formalities, getting permissions from morgues, and sometimes even arranging funds for the rites herself. Despite the emotional and physical toll, Pooja remained determined. Her compassion overpowered the barriers, and slowly, she began to receive support from like-minded individuals and organizations. Her story became a quiet revolution—challenging traditions, restoring dignity to the dead, and proving that even one person can make a profound difference.
Rituals and Process:
Pooja Sharma carries out each final rite with deep respect and care, as if the deceased were her own family. Once an unclaimed body is identified at a hospital or police station, she begins the process by obtaining official permission from authorities. After completing the required paperwork and formalities, she arranges for the transportation of the body to the cremation ground. Dressed in simple clothes and carrying essential materials for the rituals—like ghee, wood, and cloth—she makes sure the process is not rushed or treated carelessly. Following Hindu traditions, she lights the funeral pyre, chants prayers, and offers a respectful goodbye to the soul. For her, it’s not just a ritual but a way of restoring dignity to a forgotten life.
Pooja’s work depends heavily on collaboration. She works closely with police stations, mortuary staff, and crematorium workers across Delhi. Some morgues and government hospitals have started to recognize her efforts and now call her when a body goes unclaimed for a certain period. At times, religious organizations and local donors help by providing wood, cremation space, or money for basic expenses. Despite this, she often uses her savings to make sure the rites are completed respectfully. Pooja does not differentiate based on religion either—if the deceased belonged to another faith, she tries to follow their customs as closely as possible. Her process reflects not just ritual care but a deep sense of humanity and equality, offering a dignified end to those the world has forgotten.
Emotional and Psychological Impact:
Performing the final rites for unclaimed and abandoned bodies is not just physically exhausting—it takes a deep emotional and psychological toll. For Pooja Sharma, the experience is far more than just a ritual. Each body represents a life that once existed—someone who laughed, cried, worked, struggled, and eventually died without anyone by their side. The thought that so many people leave the world unnoticed deeply saddens her. Some of the faces remain etched in her memory, especially those of young accident victims or elderly people who had no one to call their own. Every time she lights a pyre, she feels a wave of emotions—grief for the lonely lives lost, helplessness about how society lets this happen, and yet, a strong sense of duty that pushes her forward.
There are days when the mental strain becomes overwhelming. Seeing so many lifeless bodies, especially those found in terrible conditions, can be traumatic. Yet, Pooja rarely lets herself break down. She says that if she lets her emotions take over, she might not be able to continue. Instead, she tries to convert her pain into strength. Sometimes, after performing the last rites, she prays not just for the dead but for the living—to be more kind, more alert to those suffering around them. Her work has also made her more spiritual and reflective. While others may see it as morbid or depressing, she finds a strange peace in what she does, knowing that she’s offering love and respect to those who had none. Her emotional resilience is not just admirable—it is what allows her to keep going, day after day, giving the forgotten a dignified farewell and reminding the world of the value of every human life.
Support and Resistance:
Pooja Sharma’s work, though noble, hasn’t always been welcomed with open arms. In the early days, she faced harsh criticism and skepticism. Many questioned why a young woman would take on the responsibility of performing last rites—something traditionally done by male family members. Some people accused her of seeking attention, while others warned her against interfering in police matters. Yet, despite the resistance, she stood firm in her mission. Over time, her sincerity began to shine through. Slowly, she started receiving support from kind-hearted individuals, NGOs, and even some police officers who now inform her when a body goes unclaimed. Religious institutions and donors occasionally help with materials and expenses. While societal judgment still lingers, the growing support reminds her that change is possible. Her courage has not only helped thousands of forgotten souls but also inspired many to question rigid norms and extend empathy beyond social boundaries.
Role of Gender in her Journey:
Pooja Sharma’s journey is extraordinary not only because of what she does but also because of who she is—a young woman challenging centuries-old gender norms. In many Indian traditions, especially Hindu rituals, performing last rites is considered the duty of the male member of the family. Women are often excluded from cremation grounds and discouraged from participating in these rituals. Pooja faced this mindset head-on. Many questioned her presence at cremation sites, and some even insulted or mocked her for “doing a man’s job.” In the beginning, even workers at cremation grounds hesitated to support her. But her quiet determination, respect for all faiths, and dignified approach gradually broke these barriers. Her gender, once seen as a limitation, became her strength—proving that compassion and courage are not defined by gender. She also opened a conversation about women’s roles in spaces of death and mourning, creating a path for other women to step forward. Pooja’s work is a powerful reminder that empathy knows no gender and that the courage to care can challenge even the oldest societal boundaries.
Wider Social Impact:
Pooja Sharma’s selfless work has gone far beyond individual cremations—it has sparked a broader conversation about dignity, compassion, and responsibility in society. By performing last rites for unclaimed bodies, she challenges the widespread apathy and stigma surrounding death, especially of the poor, homeless, or abandoned. Her actions highlight how society often forgets its most vulnerable, not just in life but even in death. She has inspired others—volunteers, NGOs, and even local authorities—to pay more attention to the issue of unclaimed bodies and show humanity where systems fail. Schools and colleges now invite her to speak, helping young people understand the value of empathy and social responsibility. Her efforts have also pushed some religious institutions to rethink gender roles in death-related rituals. Through her work, Pooja is not just helping the dead rest with dignity but also encouraging the living to be more human. In a city as fast-paced and indifferent as Delhi, her presence is a quiet but powerful reminder that one person’s compassion can ripple into widespread awareness and change.
Future Goals and Vision:
Pooja Sharma’s mission began with one unclaimed body, but her vision now stretches far beyond the cremation grounds of Delhi. As she continues to perform last rites for the forgotten, she dreams of building a more structured, sustainable system that can carry her work forward on a larger scale. One of her major goals is to set up a dedicated organization or trust that will not only handle the final rites of unclaimed bodies but also raise awareness about the issue across India. She envisions a team of trained volunteers in every major city who can respond quickly when a body is left unattended in hospitals, morgues, or on the streets. This structure would help ease the bureaucratic burden, speed up the process, and offer the dead a timely, respectful farewell—regardless of their religion, gender, or social status.
Beyond ritual work, Pooja also hopes to influence policy and public mindset. She wants to work with civic authorities to improve systems for identifying unclaimed bodies and notifying families. Additionally, she plans to start campaigns that educate people about the importance of empathy, even in death. By holding workshops in schools and colleges, she hopes to create a generation that treats death with more compassion and less fear or taboo. Another dream close to her heart is to build a shelter for the elderly and homeless so fewer people die alone and unclaimed. For her, the goal is not just to perform final rites but to ensure that no one dies without love, dignity, or remembrance. Pooja believes that true change begins when society no longer needs people like her to do this work—because by then, everyone would be treated with equal care in both life and death. Her vision is bold, emotional, and rooted in a strong moral belief: every human life, no matter how forgotten, deserves a peaceful goodbye.