7.2 Minakshi Dewan: How Does India Mourn Its Dead?

How are mourning practices in India varied? Are mourning rituals gendered? In this episode of Books and Beyond, Tara speaks with Dr. Minakshi Dewan about her book The Final Farewell: Understanding the Last Rites and Rituals of India’s Major Faiths. After her father’s death, Dr. Minakshi chose to personally perform the Antim Sanskar, a ritual traditionally reserved for male family members. This experience, combined with her period of grieving, led her to explore the funeral rites traditions in India.Tara and Dr. Minakshi delve into the customs surrounding funeral rites in India, examining the varied religious rituals, the gender roles involved in mourning, and the environmental impacts of these practices.Tune in and learn more about the $2.5 billion Death Care Industry in India, the role of professional mourners, the portrayal of grieving women in Bollywood, and the evolving landscape of funeral services in the country.Books mentioned in this episode:Fire on the Ganges : Life Among the Dead in Banaras - Radhika IyengarBeing Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End - Atul GawandeSamskara - U. R. AnanthamurthyDeath in Banaras - Jonathan P. ParryMovies Mentioned in this episode: Ramprasad Ki Tehrvi - Seema PahwaRudali - Kalpana LajmiPagglait - Umesh BistApplications for The Bound Publishing Course 2026 are now open.The Bound Publishing Course is a 3-month intensive course on book, magazine, and digital publishing. Through live sessions, workshops, and industry-facing projects, participants gain practical publishing skills and exposure to careers across the industry.Cohort size: 50 seatsFirst round of acceptances: 15th June 2026Applications are reviewed on a rolling bas‘Books and Beyond with Bound’ is the podcast where Tara Khandelwal and Michelle D’costa uncover how their books reflect the realities of our lives and society today. Find out what drives India’s finest authors: from personal experiences to jugaad research methods, insecurities to publishing journeys. Created by Bound, a storytelling company that helps you grow through stories. Follow us @boundindia on all social media platforms.