In the aftermath of the Air India plane crash, grief-stricken families are being handed over the remains of their loved ones with a painful warning: “Do not open the coffins.” Those who boarded the ill-fated flight to London now make their final journey to crematoriums and cemeteries, their dreams of a new life abroad ending in unimaginable tragedy.

Media reports indicate that authorities have advised families not to open the coffins. The devastating explosion and fire left many bodies unrecognizable, and officials fear families would not be able to bear the sight of their loved ones in such a state. So far, the remains of about 50 victims have been returned to their families, with the process continuing as DNA identification progresses. Nearly 100 bodies have already been matched through DNA testing, and the work is ongoing.

When the bodies are handed over, families receive a death certificate, police report, post-mortem report, DNA confirmation, forensic report, and any jewelry or belongings found with the deceased. Normally, families gather for a final viewing, prayers, and tributes. But for the victims of this crash, relatives cannot even say a proper goodbye.

Coffin suppliers in Ahmedabad and Vadodara have received bulk orders to meet the sudden, overwhelming demand. Each coffin bears the name of a passenger whose journey to London ended in tragedy. Families prepare for funerals, some for burial, others for cremation, as they collect the sealed coffins.

Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. His body was identified yesterday and flown to Rajkot by chartered plane, where he was cremated with full state honors in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and other BJP leaders.

Across the country, similar scenes unfold as families, after waiting 48, 72, or even more hours for DNA verification and cross-checking, finally receive their loved ones’ remains for last rites.

The scale of the tragedy has overwhelmed coffin makers. In Vadodara, 60-year-old Nelvin Rajwadi and his family have been making coffins day and night at a local church. Nelvin, a carpenter with three decades of experience, says he has never received such a large order—over 500 coffins. With help from his son, daughter-in-law, and members of the Christian community, they work tirelessly to meet demand. Normally, a coffin sells for 6,000 rupees, but in this time of mourning, they are charging only 3,000.

In Ahmedabad’s Harinagar Society, Nilesh Baghela, an auto-rickshaw driver and part-time carpenter, is also making coffins for Air India. “This is not business, it’s service,” he says, as he fulfills his commitment to deliver 100 coffins.

Meanwhile, families anxiously await news. At Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, lists of identified bodies are updated hourly. Around 150 families are still waiting for DNA results. Imtiaz and Ayub, the brother and uncle of Javed Ali—a London resident who died with his wife and two children—have submitted DNA samples, desperate for closure.

Another victim, Dr. Prateek Joshi, had settled in London four years ago. He was traveling with his wife, Dr. Komi Joshi, and their three children, including twins. Their last family selfie on the plane, with smiling faces, has become a haunting memory for those left behind. Dr. Joshi’s elderly father waits in agony for his son’s body, mourning the loss of his entire family.

International aviation agencies—including the US National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, and the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority—have arrived in Ahmedabad to assist India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in the probe. The black box and flight data recorders have been recovered, and the investigation will analyze cockpit conversations and flight parameters to determine what went wrong in the final moments before the crash.

A high-powered committee, headed by the Home Secretary, has also been formed to oversee the investigation. The nation waits for answers—what caused the crash, who is responsible, and how such a tragedy can be prevented in the future.

For now, families and a grieving nation are left with sorrow, unanswered questions, and the hope that such a tragedy never strikes again.