Rules

The PHS&MT incurs a certain cost for daily cleaning, 24-hour Security and the Chief Priest to assist with all formalities. These are provided entirely free of cost, but users of the facility may make a modest donation after use, if they so wish, entirely of their own free will, as a contribution towards the Corpus of the PHS&MT, so the Hall is well looked-after in future. Donations may be made by cheque in the name of ‘The Prayer Hall Services and Maintenance Trust’ or in cash for which official receipts will be issued. For online donations transfers/ NEFT/RTGS/IMPS, the details of the Bank Account of the Trust are as under:

Name of Bank: DEUTSCHE BANK
Branch: HAZARIMAL SOMANI MARG, FORT, MUMBAI
Account Title: THE PRAYER HALL SERVICES AND MAINTENANCE TRUST
Account Number: 400027626990019 (Savings Account)
IFSC Code: DEUT0784PBC
(IFSC Code is common for all Branches of Deutsche Bank in India)

• Er. Rumi Panthaky is the Chief Priest appointed by the PHS&MT, to serve as an officiating priest. While families of the deceased are free to avail of the services of any priest, prior intimation must always be given to the Chief Priest, Er. Rumi Panthaky on Tel: +91 9769456266 / 9137430373. He needs to be kept informed of the proposed timing of ceremonies.
• Er. Rumi Panthaky will assist, provide guidance, and coordinate all arrangements including:
• Providing telephone numbers for hearse, funeral directors (in case the body is to be stored awaiting the arrival of outstation relatives), and other such facilities.
• Keeping the Security Staff / Municipal officials informed about the approximate time of arrival of the body at the Prayer Hall & ensuring the presence of crematorium operators and helpers when required plus making arrangements for the bamboo bier.
• Assisting with documentation, registration of the death, and guidance for obtaining Death Certificates.
• Arranging for ‘sandalwood’, flowers & making available the equipment used during ceremonies. (There are 2 sets of Afargans, Khumcha’s etc., kept at the Hall in two locked cupboards, the keys of which are with the Chief Priest).
• It is important to keep Er. Rumi Panthaky informed as there could be more than one set of ceremonies at a particular time and the scheduling, ensuring which of the two Halls is to be used, etc. are decisions that only he is entitled to make.

• The Prayer Hall is the property of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and is available for use of all Communities.
• The Hall is to be used solely for funerary services (i.e. the customary 4-days prayers of Zoroastrians). No other activities are permitted to be carried out in the Hall.
• There is no prior booking system at any Municipal Crematoria in Mumbai and usage will always be subject to availability, on a first-come-first-served basis or as decided with the Chief Priest, (Er. Rumi Panthaky).
• Parsi-Irani Zoroastrians can use the hall for any of the 4-day prayers even if the Paidast/Cremation have been done elsewhere.
• Members of the Parsi-Irani Zoroastrian Community will be given priority for use of the Prayer Hall.
• No provision has been made for cold storage. However names of Funeral Directors will be provided by the Chief Priest Er. Rumi Panthaky upon request.
• There is no provision for overnight stay of relatives within the Prayer Hall but there are washrooms available for use and a water cooler.
• The Prayer Hall consists of 2 inter-connected Halls which can be used separately or together. Seating capacity is 200.
• There are 2 Electric Furnaces, in the adjoining Crematorium, one of which is on a stand-by. It takes approximately 2 hours for a body to be consumed.
• Bodies are generally transported from the Prayer Hall by friends / relatives using an Ambulance Trolley which can easily be wheeled down the short path between the Prayer Hall and the Crematorium. There are no Nussersallas at the site, but Crematorium staff do help when required.
• The Hall is cleaned daily and there is round the clock security.