At the turn of last year, in December 2021, Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice were pleased to publish extensive coverage of the landmark planning decision secured by Anoopam Mission UK to build a state-of-the-art crematorium on its grounds in Denham, Buckinghamshire. We applauded this long-awaited development, paving the way for the first purpose-built Hindu faith crematorium in the UK.
Six months after this decision, a Bhoomi Poojan ceremony will take place on Friday 15 July, and a Community Briefing and Consultation will be held on Saturday 30 July, in Denham. When the planning permission was received, Param Pujya Sahebji, Spiritual Leader of Anoopam Mission, said that the new Aum Crematorium was “an opportunity to serve the Hindu population of the UK”. He added: “We look forward to working with all Hindu organisations to deliver this vision for the whole community.” This is exactly the right sentiment to approach such a significant and noble project.
Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice, therefore, urge all Hindu community organisations to participate fully in the forthcoming consultation and to make their views known. In turn, we hope that Anoopam Mission UK will take the opportunity to provide a transparent update about the progress of the project and how the crematorium can be delivered for the benefit of the whole of Sanatan Dharma in an inclusive way. The branding as “Aum Crematorium” is a good start, which signals that the facilities will be open to all Hindu customs - as well as other dharmic traditions such as Jains and Sikhs - to observe ‘antim sanskar’, or last rites, in accordance with their own particular beliefs.
The building of a crematorium is a significant undertaking with a long-lasting impact over many decades, so it should be set up as a self-sustaining independent entity and overseen by a body which is accountable to the “whole community”, guaranteeing that it will remain open and inclusive to all. This unity and creativity would be the greatest legacy of such an important milestone for the Hindu Community.
For ease of reference view our e-paper dated 25th December 2021 at this link: https://issuu.com/abpl/docs/av_25th_december_2021
