The Hindu Forum of Britain (HFB) alongside other Hindu organisations has been collating evidence about discriminatory practices undertaken by coroners against the Hindu community.
There have been an increasing number of complaints in recent years with respect to discriminatory practices by coroners against Hindus in the UK, when Hindu families have sought release of the bodies of their loved ones for their last rites or “antim sanskar”.
Anecdotal evidence from the community has indicated that families are facing difficulties in obtaining Coroner's report with severe delays before the release of the body of a loved. This is traumatic for the grieving family.
“We have tried to explain that since we cremate the body, the body cannot be exhumed and hence total clearance is required. Terrible loss due to death saddens families from all faiths in a similar way however, a complaint repeatedly voiced has been that too often Hindu families are pushed to the back of the queue while families from other faiths are allowed to move ahead. This cannot be permitted as we must get as fair and equal a priority as any other faith,” wrote HFB in its letter.
The HFB is therefore, now on a mission to record all complaints and grievances within the community with respect to Coroners Service. These responses will be submitted as evidence to the government demonstrating that Hindus face discrimination in getting a Coroner's report expedited which in turn prolongs the cremation process and the bereavement period.
Some of the key questions that they are asking also include a testimony of the Coroner’s service during Covid-19 The extent of unevenness of Coroners Services including local failures. Negative experiences families have faced with Coroners Service or during the cremation of family members. What kind of improvement are required in services for the bereaved and progress in Hindu Faith specific training and guidance for Coroners?
The evidence and collective concerns will be submitted to the House of Commons Justice Committee. The committee will read the evidence and use it to help the committee's inquiry. Oral and written evidence will be considered and a report will be published which will be made available in the public domain.
The HFB is optimistic about the outcome of the report and hopes that it will lead to a much improved and sympathetic Coroners Service for our grieving Hindu families. The responses are to be submitted by 28th August to the HFB.
