Kerala family poses for happy pic with dead mother

CHENNAI: A family from Kerala's Pathanamthitta district posed for a picture with happy faces while paying last rights to their elderly mother.

The picture shows about 40 members of a family seen posing for the snap. The incident took place during the funeral of their family member, 95-year-old, Mariyamma.

The picture that was shared across all social media platform left netizens divided. For the criticism that spread, the family said that their mother lived a happy life and they had no regrets about taking the picture at the funeral.

"Our mother lived happily for nearly 95 years, and we all know how we cared for and loved her. It was our collective decision to have a last photograph with her in a happy mood, so as to ensure a good farewell to her,” said the deceased elderly woman's son Rev. George Oommen.

Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty defended the criticism and said, "Death is painful. But it is also a farewell. What could be happier than giving a smiling farewell to those who have lived happily ever after? This photo doesn't need negative comments."