On Sunday, June 15, 2025, grieving families across India gathered to hold funeral services for their loved ones lost in the tragic Air India flight crash near Ahmedabad. The somber ceremonies marked a painful step in the nation’s mourning process following one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory.
The funerals took place in various communities, including the Christian community at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi, where candlelight prayer services were held to honor the victims. White coffins containing the remains of those identified through DNA testing were brought to families, many of whom were advised not to open the coffins to spare them additional trauma.
The atmosphere was heavy with grief as relatives, friends, and community members came together to pay their final respects. NGO workers and hospital staff supported families through the difficult process of receiving the bodies and preparing for the funerals.
Among the mourners were relatives of Arjun Patoliya, a father who perished in the crash, leaving behind two young daughters. Community leaders, such as Anjana Patel, mayor of London’s Harrow borough, expressed solidarity and called for collective support for the orphaned children.
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