In a dramatic and deeply unsettling incident, an 86-year-old woman believed to be dead narrowly escaped cremation when she was found breathing just before the last rites were to begin at the Swargadwar cremation ground in Odisha’s Puri on Monday.

The woman, identified as P. Lakshmi from Andhra Pradesh, had traveled to visit her son-in-law in the Polasara area of Ganjam district. According to her family, she had been under treatment at a local hospital where doctors allegedly declared her dead.

Believing she had passed away, the family transported what they thought was her body to Puri for the funeral. “As she did not open her eyes and there was no sign of breathing, we thought she was dead and informed others in the locality. We arranged a vehicle to carry the body to the Swargadwar crematorium at Puri from home for cremation,” said Dharma Sethi, a family member.

However, an unexpected delay in the cremation process proved life-saving. The crematorium requires three key documents to proceed with a cremation — Aadhaar cards of the deceased and the applicant, and an official death certificate. The family had not secured the certificate.

“When we were asking them to bring the death certificate from their local Sarpanch or other authorities, one of our security guards found the elderly woman breathing,” said Braja Kishore Sahu, manager of Swargadwar cremation ground.

Lakshmi was immediately taken to the Puri Medical College and Hospital in an ambulance arranged by the staff. Doctors there confirmed she was indeed alive but in a serious condition. “The health condition of the woman is critical. Her heart and kidneys were functioning, but her brain was not responding properly,” said a doctor attending to her.

Family Stunned as ‘Deceased’ Woman Shows Signs of Life

Relatives who had gathered to perform the last rites were left stunned when the woman showed signs of life. “We thought she was no more. But as we prepared for the rituals, we saw her chest moving. We rushed her to hospital straightaway,” a family member recounted.

The incident has not only shocked the local community but has also raised troubling questions about the accuracy of death confirmations, particularly in rural healthcare settings. While the family deals with the emotional rollercoaster, medical authorities have yet to issue a statement addressing the apparent misdiagnosis.

Lakshmi remains under close observation as doctors continue emergency treatment.