What kinds of cremation can you choose in Delhi NCR?
There are three broad kinds: the traditional open wood pyre, a closed CNG furnace, and a closed electric or piped natural gas (PNG) furnace. Some cremation grounds in Delhi NCR have all of them. Most have wood pyres and one kind of furnace.
9
MCD crematoria in Delhi with CNG furnaces
MCD via PTI, 2026
₹0
CNG or electric cremation at MCD grounds since 1 June 2026, under a two-year pilot
PTI / India.com, 2026
₹700
MCD rate per quintal (100 kg) of fuel wood
MCD order via PTI, Sept 2024
400–600 kg
Wood commonly needed for one pyre
Scroll, 2023
8–9%
Share of Delhi cremations using CNG or electric furnaces, 2023–25
ThePrint, Feb 2026
The free pilot applies only at crematoria under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Grounds run by trusts, and every ground outside Delhi, set their own charges. For the rites themselves, see the Hindu antim sanskar guide.
Which cremation grounds in Delhi NCR offer CNG, electric or PNG?
The table below lists only what published sources confirm; "Not listed" means no source we found mentions it. Furnaces go down for repair, and terms change, so treat every row as a starting point and call the ground before you set out.
Swipe sideways to see the full table →
| Ground | City | Wood | CNG | Electric / PNG | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigambodh Ghat | Delhi | Yes | Yes | Electric (older unit) | Delhi's oldest and busiest ground, on the Yamuna. Ask which furnaces are working that day. |
| Lodhi Road (Dayanand Mukti Dham) | Delhi | Improved pyres | Not listed | Electric | Lists hours of 7 am to 7 pm. Prayer hall and asthi lockers. |
| Punjabi Bagh | Delhi | Yes | Yes | Not listed | On MCD's CNG list. |
| Sarai Kale Khan | Delhi | Yes | Yes | Electric | New facility reported in May 2026 with 1 CNG and 2 electric furnaces and 22 pyres. Check it is open. |
| Rohini Sec 26 (Kaivalya Dham), Dwarka Sec 24, Green Park, Karkardooma, Ghazipur, Subhash Nagar, Hastsal | Delhi | Yes | Yes | Not listed | The rest of MCD's nine CNG grounds. Free CNG under the 2026 pilot. |
| Antim Niwas, Sector 94 | Noida | Yes | Yes | Not listed | Noida Authority land, run by Noida Lok Manch. Lists 7 am to 6 pm. 24 platforms and 2 CNG furnaces reported in 2021. Publishes its own charges. |
| Hindon cremation ground (Hindon ghat) | Ghaziabad | Yes | Not listed | Electric | Ask on the day whether the electric unit is working. |
| Madanpuri | Gurugram | Ask | Not listed | Not listed | Long-used city ground. Facilities change; ask the office. |
| Phase III CNG crematorium | Gurugram | Not listed | Built | Not listed | A 2018 report found it unused. Ask the MCG whether any furnace is working. |
| Swargashram, near Ajronda | Faridabad | Yes | Not listed | PNG | Opened 2018, reported as Haryana's first gas crematorium. |
| Near Tigaon village | Faridabad | Ask | Not listed | PNG | PNG crematorium made functional in May 2021. |
Source: MCD and PTI (2026); Dayanand Mukti Dham; Antim Niwas; Hindustan Times; The Tribune; India Environment Portal
Wood vs CNG vs electric or PNG: what actually changes?
The rites before cremation stay largely the same. What changes is the last step: an open fire, or a closed chamber. That affects the time, a few rites, and when the ashes are ready.
Wood vs CNG vs electric/PNG
Wood pyre
the traditional form
- TimeUsually a few hours. Families often leave once the fire is established and return for the ashes.
- RitesParikrama, mukhagni at the pyre and, in many traditions, kapal kriya.
- AshesUsually gathered on the third or fourth day.
- EnvironmentOpen pyres add to air pollution, the NGT has noted.
CNG furnace
closed gas chamber
- TimeUsually quicker than a pyre. Furnaces work in turns, so there may be a short wait.
- RitesPuja, offerings and a symbolic mukhagni before the body enters the chamber. No open pyre, so no kapal kriya.
- AshesHanded over once the chamber cools, or staff tell you when to return.
- EnvironmentNo firewood. MCD's free pilot aims to cut smoke during Delhi's spells of poor air.
Electric or PNG
closed chamber
- TimeLodhi Road estimates about 1 to 1.5 hours for electric. Swargashram said about 90 minutes for PNG ashes in 2018.
- RitesSame as CNG: the prayers and a symbolic mukhagni come first.
- AshesOften ready the same day, which helps families who must travel.
- EnvironmentNo firewood. The NGT asked states to explore electric and PNG crematoria alongside wood.
There is no wrong choice. Many families keep the wood pyre for tradition, especially for elders. Others choose a furnace for time, cleaner air or because the one they have lost wished it. Our full guide to electric, CNG and wood cremation goes deeper.
What do crematorium charges look like?
At MCD grounds the core charges are fixed and must be shown on a rate board outside. Wood is still charged by weight, which is where most of the cost of a pyre sits.
- 400–600 kg of wood at ₹700 per quintal · Wood alone; samagri, pandit and transport are extra₹2,800 – ₹4,200
Source: MCD rate order via PTI (Sept 2024); Scroll (2023)
See the numbers
| From | To | |
|---|---|---|
| 400–600 kg of wood at ₹700 per quintal | ₹2,800 | ₹4,200 |
Swipe sideways to see the full table →
| Item | Rate at MCD grounds |
|---|---|
| CNG cremation | Free since 1 June 2026 (capped at ₹1,500 before) |
| Electric cremation | Free since 1 June 2026 (₹500 before) |
| Fuel wood | ₹700 per quintal |
| Pandit services for the last rites | ₹500 |
| Collection of ashes | ₹350 |
| Maintenance | ₹150 |
Source: Deccan Herald (PTI), Sept 2024; India.com and ThePrint, 2026
Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad grounds set their own rates. For the wider picture, see funeral costs in Delhi NCR.
What happens on the day at a CNG or electric crematorium?
The opening rites are the same as for a wood cremation. Only the cremation itself happens inside a closed chamber.
A furnace cremation, step by step
- 1
Call aheadFamily
Confirm the furnace is working, the timing and the documents needed.
- 2
RegisterGround office
Show the doctor's or hospital death certificate and an ID of your loved one, plus your own ID.
- 3
RitesPriest
The priest leads the puja, offerings and prayers on a platform near the furnace.
- 4
MukhagniChief mourner
The chief mourner gives a symbolic mukhagni as the priest directs.
- 5
CremationGround staff
Staff move your loved one into the chamber. Families wait nearby or step outside.
- 6
Ashes and slipFamily
Collect the ashes when ready, and keep the cremation slip for death registration within 21 days.
What should you check before you go?
- Is the CNG, electric or PNG furnace working today, and is there a queue?
- What are the hours? Antim Niwas lists 7 am to 6 pm; Lodhi Road lists 7 am to 7 pm.
- Which documents does the ground want, and who should sign?
- What will you be charged for wood, samagri or the priest, if anything?
- When will the ashes be ready, and is there a locker if you need a few days before asthi visarjan?
“You grieve, we'll carry the rest.”
— Eternal Repos
If you would like us to carry this part, we can arrange transport, the cremation booking and the samagri anywhere in Delhi NCR. Call +91 84486 61338, any hour, or see immediate assistance and transport.
