Archive · 10 Dec 2025
Pet Graves Spark Debate at Parsi Cemetery
Some people in Mumbai have been burying their pets in a special cemetery called the Tower of Silence, which is usually only for humans.
This has upset some members of the Parsi community who think it's not right.
The people in charge of the cemetery say they sometimes allow pet burials but don't want permanent memorials.
There are also not many places in Mumbai to cremate pets, which makes this a tricky issue.
The city is planning to add more pet cremation facilities, but for now, the debate continues.
Fresh pet graves and memorials discovered at the Tower of Silence Parsi cemetery in Mumbai.
Orthodox Parsi community members question the use of a sacred site for animal burials.
Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) tolerates pet burials informally but prohibits permanent grave markers.
No specific municipal laws govern pet burials on private land, creating legal ambiguity.
BPP plans to remove the pet memorials to maintain the cemetery's sanctity.
- Who
- Orthodox Parsi community members and the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP)
- What
- Debate over pet burials and memorials at the Tower of Silence Parsi cemetery
- When
- Recent discovery of pet graves and memorials
- Where
- Tower of Silence, Malabar Hill, Mumbai
- Why
- Concerns over the sanctity of the cemetery and the lack of clear guidelines for pet burials
- Location
- Tower of Silence, Malabar Hill, Mumbai
- Managing Authority
- Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP)
- Legal Status of Pet Burials
- Informally tolerated, but permanent grave markers not allowed
- Municipal Guidelines
- No specific laws govern pet burials on private land
- BPP's Stance
- Pet memorials will be removed
- Pet Cremation Facilities in Mumbai
- One BMC-run crematorium in Malad, additional facilities planned