A Catholic hospital in Kerala has won thanks for conducting Hindu funeral rites for a doctor.

Brijesh Kumar Singh, 61, died on Oct. 10 in a hotel while waiting for a flight to Bihar, eastern India.

“We arranged a Brahmin priest to conduct Hindu funeral rites,” said Father Thomas Kodinattumkunnel, chief executive of the Pushpagiri Medical College Hospital, where Singh had served as an orthopedic surgeon for 28 years.

Singh was cremated two days later in the hospital run by the Syro-Malankara Church in Tiruvalla, according to his family’s request.

Father Kodinattumkunnel said his Church conducted the Hindu rites on its campus because it respects all religious groups.

“It’s our deeds, not our words that can promote communal harmony,” he said.

Archbishop Thomas Mar Coorilos of Tiruvalla, who attended the funeral rites, also led a prayer service attended by hundreds of priests, nuns and local people.

The prelate offered flowers, sesame and butter at the funeral pyre following the Hindu priest’s instructions.

The doctor’s relatives expressed gratitude to the Catholic hospital. R.P. Singh, his brother, said they chose to cremate the deceased in the hospital premises as he “was emotionally attached” to the Catholic institution.

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