MORTUARY RITES IN COVID-19: MOURNING & BURIAL RITES OF MIGRANTS IN NORTHERN PUNJAB

Purpose of the study: This study aims to highlight how death serves as a central feature social ties among natives Northern Punjab. Death is great leveller and one most curious aspects human cognition. Bereavement follows terminal rites de passage; transition deceased from this world other world.
 Methodology: By using an inductive approach, ethnographic account significant rite was gathered. The primary data based on case-based narratives empirical findings gathered during in-depth interviews participant observation at locale. A total thirteen cases migrants are discussed in paper.
 Main Findings: reveal pressures family encountered pre post-death phase both country origin destination, horrors COVID-19 infection kept entire bereaved families halt decide their funerary rituals, pandemic’s effect body’s postmortem clearance certificate, arrangement for morgue grave while decision burial process, familial politics engaged making, journey back native soil, burial, mourning, condolence bereavement rituals Potohar.
 Applications paper solely focuses Punjab region COVID-19. provides understanding religio-cultural transformation global pandemic.
 Novelty/Originality researcher has prepared close observations insights mortuary who expired pandemic doctoral research. No such research been carried out Potohar (Northern Punjab) context.