A man cremates his relative Hatayben Bharwad, 58, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a crematorium in Ahmedabad, India, June 10, 2021. REUTERS/Amit Dave

Health workers carry the body of a person, who died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), for cremation at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, June 10, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Health workers carry the body of a person, who died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), for cremation at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, June 10, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Health workers wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as they prepare to carry the body of a person, who died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), for cremation at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, June 10, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

À Surat, une ville indienne de six millions d'habitants principalement connue pour le polissage de diamants, au moins sept crématoriums et cimetières ont vu leur nombre de crémations et d'inhumations tripler en avril par rapport à l’année dernière.

UPDATE New slug In Surat, a city of six million people in Gujarat that is best known for its diamond-polishing industry, at least seven crematoriums and graveyards saw a more than threefold rise in the number of cremations and burials in April versus a year ago.

How burial grounds and crematoriums across India were overwhelmed with bodies following a devastating second wave of COVID-19 infections

A woman reacts during the cremation of her relative, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a crematorium ground in Srinagar May 25, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Ismail

Relatives of a man who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) mourn during his cremation at a crematorium ground in Srinagar May 25, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Ismail TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Relatives stand next to the burning pyre of a man who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during his cremation at a crematorium ground in Srinagar May 25, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Ismail TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Suresh Kumar, 43, the husband of Pramila Devi, 36, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and Devi's son Suraj Kumar, 16, watch her cremation on the banks of the river Ganges in Pauri Garhwal, in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, May 24, 2021. Devi's eldest daughter got married and moved away in late April after the family hosted a ceremony attended by over two dozen people, her husband Kumar told Reuters. Two weeks after that Devi suffered a bout of diarrhoea. But it was not until 10 days later that Kumar, who has no income and depends on handouts, took her to a nearby dispensary that has been turned into a small COVID-19 facility with four beds. Devi tested positive for COVID-19 with very low blood oxygen levels. She died a day later. "I'm yet to inform my eldest daughter of her mother's death," a distraught Kumar said, as he crouched on the banks of the Ganges. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "PRAMILA SIDDIQUI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Family members and relatives of Pramila Devi, 36, who died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), react as she is cremated on the banks of the river Ganges at Pauri Garhwal in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, May 24, 2021. Devi's eldest daughter got married and moved away in late April after the family hosted a ceremony attended by over two dozen people, her husband Suresh Kumar, 43, told Reuters. Two weeks after that Devi suffered a bout of diarrhoea. But it was not until 10 days later that Kumar, who has no income and depends on handouts, took her to a nearby dispensary that has been turned into a small COVID-19 facility with four beds. Devi tested positive for COVID-19 with very low blood oxygen levels. She died a day later. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "PRAMILA SIDDIQUI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

The burning pyre of Pramila Devi, 36, who died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is seen during her cremation on the banks of the river Ganges in Pauri Garhwal in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, May 24, 2021. Devi's eldest daughter got married and moved away in late April after the family hosted a ceremony attended by over two dozen people, her husband Suresh Kumar, 43, told Reuters. Two weeks after that Devi suffered a bout of diarrhoea. But it was not until 10 days later that Kumar, who has no income and depends on handouts, took her to a nearby dispensary that has been turned into a small COVID-19 facility with four beds. Devi tested positive for COVID-19 with very low blood oxygen levels. She died a day later. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "PRAMILA SIDDIQUI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Relatives of Pramila Devi, 36, who died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), prepare for her cremation on the banks of the river Ganges in Pauri Garhwal in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, May 24, 2021. Devi's eldest daughter got married and moved away in late April after the family hosted a ceremony attended by over two dozen people, her husband Suresh Kumar, 43, told Reuters. Two weeks after that Devi suffered a bout of diarrhoea. But it was not until 10 days later that Kumar, who has no income and depends on handouts, took her to a nearby dispensary that has been turned into a small COVID-19 facility with four beds. Devi tested positive for COVID-19 with very low blood oxygen levels. She died a day later. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "PRAMILA SIDDIQUI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Relatives of Pramila Devi, 36, who died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), take down her body from a jeep before her cremation, on the banks of the river Ganges in Pauri Garhwal, in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, May 24, 2021. Devi's eldest daughter got married and moved away in late April after the family hosted a ceremony attended by over two dozen people, her husband Suresh Kumar, 43, told Reuters. Two weeks after that Devi suffered a bout of diarrhoea. But it was not until 10 days later that Kumar, who has no income and depends on handouts, took her to a nearby dispensary that has been turned into a small COVID-19 facility with four beds. Devi tested positive for COVID-19 with very low blood oxygen levels. She died a day later. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "PRAMILA SIDDIQUI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Relatives of Pramila Devi, 36, who died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), put her body on a pyre during her cremation on the banks of the river Ganges in Pauri Garhwal, in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, May 24, 2021. Devi's eldest daughter got married and moved away in late April after the family hosted a ceremony attended by over two dozen people, her husband Suresh Kumar, 43, told Reuters. Two weeks after that Devi suffered a bout of diarrhoea. But it was not until 10 days later that Kumar, who has no income and depends on handouts, took her to a nearby dispensary that has been turned into a small COVID-19 facility with four beds. Devi tested positive for COVID-19 with very low blood oxygen levels. She died a day later. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "PRAMILA SIDDIQUI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

The body of Pramila Devi, 36, who died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is seen before her cremation, on the banks of the river Ganges in Pauri Garhwal, in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, May 24, 2021. Devi's eldest daughter got married and moved away in late April after the family hosted a ceremony attended by over two dozen people, her husband Suresh Kumar, 43, told Reuters. Two weeks after that Devi suffered a bout of diarrhoea. But it was not until 10 days later that Kumar, who has no income and depends on handouts, took her to a nearby dispensary that has been turned into a small COVID-19 facility with four beds. Devi tested positive for COVID-19 with very low blood oxygen levels. She died a day later. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "PRAMILA SIDDIQUI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Relatives of Pramila Devi, 36, who died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), carry her body to be cremated on the banks of the river Ganges in Pauri Garhwal in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, May 24, 2021. Devi's eldest daughter got married and moved away in late April after the family hosted a ceremony attended by over two dozen people, her husband Suresh Kumar, 43, told Reuters. Two weeks after that Devi suffered a bout of diarrhoea. But it was not until 10 days later that Kumar, who has no income and depends on handouts, took her to a nearby dispensary that has been turned into a small COVID-19 facility with four beds. Devi tested positive for COVID-19 with very low blood oxygen levels. She died a day later. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "PRAMILA SIDDIQUI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Relatives of Pramila Devi, 36, who died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), drive her body, on top of a jeep, to her cremation in Pauri Garhwal, in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, May 24, 2021. Devi's eldest daughter got married and moved away in late April after the family hosted a ceremony attended by over two dozen people, her husband Suresh Kumar, 43, told Reuters. Two weeks after that Devi suffered a bout of diarrhoea. But it was not until 10 days later that Kumar, who has no income and depends on handouts, took her to a nearby dispensary that has been turned into a small COVID-19 facility with four beds. Devi tested positive for COVID-19 with very low blood oxygen levels. She died a day later. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "PRAMILA SIDDIQUI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Suresh Kumar, 43, whose wife Pramila Devi, 36, died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), sits inside a jeep before his wife's cremation in Pauri Garhwal in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, May 24, 2021. Devi's eldest daughter got married and moved away in late April after the family hosted a ceremony attended by over two dozen people, her husband Kumar told Reuters. Two weeks after that Devi suffered a bout of diarrhoea. But it was not until 10 days later that Kumar, who has no income and depends on handouts, took her to a nearby dispensary that has been turned into a small COVID-19 facility with four beds. Devi tested positive for COVID-19 with very low blood oxygen levels. She died a day later. "I'm yet to inform my eldest daughter of her mother's death," a distraught Kumar said, as he crouched on the banks of the Ganges. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "PRAMILA SIDDIQUI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Rajesh Kumar, whose aunt Pramila Devi, 36, died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), chops wood from a forest for her cremation, at Pauri Garhwal in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, May 24, 2021. Devi's eldest daughter got married and moved away in late April after the family hosted a ceremony attended by over two dozen people, her husband Suresh Kumar, 43, told Reuters. Two weeks after that Devi suffered a bout of diarrhoea. But it was not until 10 days later that Kumar, who has no income and depends on handouts, took her to a nearby dispensary that has been turned into a small COVID-19 facility with four beds. Devi tested positive for COVID-19 with very low blood oxygen levels. She died a day later. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "PRAMILA SIDDIQUI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

The body of Pramila Devi, 36, who died from complications related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is seen on top of a car as her relatives collect wood for her cremation, at Pauri Garhwal in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, May 24, 2021. Devi's eldest daughter got married and moved away in late April after the family hosted a ceremony attended by over two dozen people, her husband Suresh Kumar, 43, told Reuters. Two weeks after that Devi suffered a bout of diarrhoea. But it was not until 10 days later that Kumar, who has no income and depends on handouts, took her to a nearby dispensary that has been turned into a small COVID-19 facility with four beds. Devi tested positive for COVID-19 with very low blood oxygen levels. She died a day later. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui SEARCH "PRAMILA SIDDIQUI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Relatives carry the body of a man for cremation after they, according to the relatives, were denied permission for his burial, past shallow sand graves of people, some of which are suspected to have died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on the banks of the river Ganges in Shringaverpur on the outskirts of Prayagraj, India, May 21, 2021. REUTERS/Ritesh Shukla

The wife of Vijay Raju, who died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), performs the last rites before her husband's cremation at a crematorium ground in Giddenahalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru, India, May 13, 2021. REUTERS/Samuel Rajkumar

Family members of Vijay Raju, who died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), mourn before his cremation at a crematorium ground in Giddenahalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru, India, May 13, 2021. REUTERS/Samuel Rajkumar TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Volunteers take a break during the cremation of people who died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a crematorium ground in Giddenahalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru, India, May 13, 2021. REUTERS/Samuel Rajkumar

Son of Vijay Raju, who died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), performs the last rites before his father's cremation at a crematorium ground in Giddenahalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru, India, May 13, 2021. REUTERS/Samuel Rajkumar

A volunteer cremates people who died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a crematorium ground in Giddenahalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru, India, May 13, 2021. REUTERS/Samuel Rajkumar

Family members and relatives offer prayers as they attend cremation of a person who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Kurukshetra crematorium in Surat, India, May 11, 2021. Picture taken May 11, 2021. REUTERS/Amit Dave

Family members and relatives offer prayers as they attend cremation of a person who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Kurukshetra crematorium in Surat, India, May 11, 2021. Picture taken May 11, 2021. REUTERS/Amit Dave

Smoke come out from the chimneys of the Ashvinikumar crematorium where people who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are cremated in Surat, India, May 11, 2021. Picture taken May 11, 2021. REUTERS/Amit Dave

Volunteers from the Khan Trust prepare to cremate the body of a person who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at the Kurukshetra Crematorium in Surat, India, May 11, 2021. Picture taken May 11, 2021. REUTERS/Amit Dave

A volunteer from the Ekta Foundation collects ashes after cremating the body of a person who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at the Kurukshetra Crematorium in Surat, India, May 11, 2021. Picture taken May 11, 2021. REUTERS/Amit Dave

A man wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) runs past the burning pyres during a mass cremation of people, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at the crematorium, in Kathmandu, Nepal May 11, 2021. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Municipal worker Mohan, 39, cremates the body a man who died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, May 10, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Municipal worker Mohan, 39, cremates the body a man who died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, May 10, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Members of the Nepal Army take rest after cremating the bodies of people who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as the country recorded the highest daily increase in deaths since the pandemic began, at the crematorium, in Kathmandu, Nepal May 9, 2021. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Family members watch as the pyres burn during a mass cremation of those who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple as the country recorded the highest daily increase in deaths since the pandemic began, in Kathmandu, Nepal May 9, 2021. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A man wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) cremates the body of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) victim at the crematorium as the country recorded the highest daily increase in deaths since the pandemic began, in Kathmandu, Nepal May 9, 2021. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

A general view of burning pyres of those who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during a mass cremation at the premises of Pashupatinath Temple as the country recorded the highest daily increase in deaths since the pandemic began, in Kathmandu, Nepal May 9, 2021. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

People place the body of a man who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on a pyre before his cremation on the banks of the river Ganges at Garhmukteshwar in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, May 6, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Men wearing protective suits place a white cloth over the body their relative, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), before his cremation on the banks of the river Ganges at Garhmukteshwar in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, May 6, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Relatives gather around the body of a man who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), before cremating him on the banks of the river Ganges at Garhmukteshwar in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, May 6, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Relatives watch during the cremation of a man who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on the banks of the river Ganges at Garhmukteshwar in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, May 6, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

A man reacts before the cremation of his relative, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on the banks of the river Ganges at Garhmukteshwar in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, May 6, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

A man wearing a protective suit touches the body of his relative, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), before his cremation on the banks of the river Ganges at Garhmukteshwar in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, May 6, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Khushi Rastogi, 14, prepares to cremate the body of her father Ram Rastogi, 45, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on the banks of the river Ganges at Garhmukteshwar in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, May 6, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

A woman cries during the cremation of her husband, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a crematorium in New Delhi, India May 5, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A man wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) carries a body of a relative, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), for his cremation, at a crematorium in New Delhi, India May 5, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

A man wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) stands next to a burning funeral pyre of a relative, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), before his cremation, at a crematorium in New Delhi, India May 5, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

A man mourns as he sits next to the burning pyre of a relative, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), during his cremation, at a crematorium in New Delhi, India May 5, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

A man wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) stands next to a body of his relative, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), before his cremation, at a crematorium in New Delhi, India May 5, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Rescue workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) put a coffin containing a body of a person who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) into the cremation chamber at a temple in Nonthaburi province, on the outskirt of Bangkok, Thailand May 5, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Mortuary workers load the body of a person, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), to an ambulance for cremation, at a hospital in New Delhi, India May 5, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Mortuary workers load the body of a person, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), to an ambulance for cremation, at a Hospital in New Delhi, India May 5, 2021. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

A man wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) walks past the fire as he cremates the bodies of people who died due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as India's outbreak spreads across South Asia, in Kathmandu, Nepal May 5, 2021. REUTERS/Navesh Chitrakar

Pranav Mishra, 19, is helped by his relatives to place the body of his mother Mamta Mishra, 45, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on a pyre for her cremation at a crematorium ground in New Delhi, India, May 4, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Men wearing protective suits stand next to the body of their relative, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), before her cremation at a crematorium ground in New Delhi, India, May 4, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Pranav Mishra, 19, reacts next to the body of his mother Mamta Mishra, 45, who died from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), before her cremation at a crematorium ground in New Delhi, India, May 4, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui

Laurie Langford and Caren Ventrone wearing protective masks lay a flower by the cremation urn for their late father Robert Cancemi, who served in the U.S. Navy, at the Holy Cross cemetery in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, U.S., May 3, 2021. According to Cancemi's children, they were honoring their father's wish to be buried next to their mother, which was delayed due to restrictions from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton