As a "small seva (service)” to bereaved families, the Karachi Zarthosti Banu Mandal (KZBM) has been providing a free set of white ruwan na kapra (garments and linen for the deceased) for the last three years. With every item bearing a KZBM stamp, the sealed package (pictured) includes a sudreh with sleeves, a pyjama, a mathu banu, two small and one large bedsheet.
A notice in the July 2024 issue of What’s On, the monthly newsletter of KZBM, requests the family members of the deceased to open the seal, check the contents as listed and acknowledge receipt in the book provided "to keep track of the stock we provide our pallbearers… If the family wishes to use any of the above-listed items of clothing from their own home then kindly note that in the book so that that piece of clothing is returned to KZBM by the pallbearer.” Even the strips of cloth to tie the deceased to the bier before the body is consigned to the Anjuman or Ghadially Dakhma are provided by KZBM, although not included in the package.
"KZBM was prompted to go ahead with this project as we noticed that at the time of death most families were not prepared with ruwan na kapra,” stated KZBM president Kermin Parakh in response to queries from Parsiana. Parsis in Karachi no longer wear the typical white pyjama or sudrehs with sleeves. Many may not have big white sheets at home, added Parakh.
"We have noticed in the last three years that most avail of this service,” observed Parakh. Very few insist on using their loved one’s own sudrehs. KZBM does not provide kustis as besides being extremely expensive, every Parsi Zarthosti has a kusti so the relatives use that.” The cost for one set of ruwan na kapra has gone up from PKR 2,100 (INR 630, USD 7.54) to PKR 2,500 (INR 750, USD 8.97) in the last three years.