Daughters watch man's funeral on video call, pay Rs 5,100 for rites, skip visit

A man from Haryana died in an old-age home, and his daughters did not attend his last rites. The funeral, conducted by staff and local residents as the daughters watched on video call, has sparked debate over elderly isolation and changing family bonds.Daughters watch man's funeral on video call, pay Rs 5,100 for rites, skip visitA deeply emotional incident from Haryana's Sonipat has sparked debate over changing family values after an elderly man, who spent his life educating and supporting his daughters, died in an old-age home without any of them turning up for his final rites.According to officials at the old-age home, Shivcharan Ratan Gupta, a textile merchant, had been battling a prolonged illness and breathed his last while longing to see his daughters one final time. Despite being informed of his death, none of his three daughters came to the old-age home or attended his funeral.Instead, they sent Rs 5,100 to cover the funeral expenses and requested that a video of their father's last rites be sent to them on their phones.Visuals from the incident showed a photograph of Gupta, followed by members of the local community and the old-age home carrying out his last rites. Another clip showed the daughters watching the cremation through a video call as the funeral proceedings took place. Community members were also seen at the cremation ground performing the rituals in the absence of any immediate family. Watch the video here:Speaking about the incident, Anand Kumar, the administrator of the old-age home, said Gupta had lived at the facility during his final days after falling ill. He added that the elderly man often wished to meet his daughters and had hoped they would come to see him. According to Kumar, Gupta had worked as a textile merchant and had invested heavily in his daughters' education. He ensured they completed their studies, and two of them eventually became teachers.Those who knew him at the old-age home said he took great pride in his daughters' achievements and believed he had fulfilled his responsibilities as a father.However, when the time came to bid him farewell, the family did not arrive. After receiving the money for the funeral, the old-age home and local residents took responsibility for conducting the last rites with dignity.The incident has triggered widespread discussion on social media and among local residents, with many expressing sadness over the circumstances surrounding Gupta's final moments.Several people said the story reflected the growing isolation faced by many elderly parents, while others described it as a reminder of the importance of being present for loved ones during life's most difficult moments.The visuals of an elderly father's funeral being attended by strangers while his daughters watched remotely have left many questioning how family relationships are changing, and whether modern-day responsibilities are increasingly coming at the cost of personal bonds.- EndsPublished By: Yashna TalwarPublished On: Aug 5, 2026 20:20 IST