The current pandemic is causing concern amongst all faiths and other organisations about the enormous pressure on funeral directors, cemeteries and crematoriums. But it is exceptionally a worry for those whose faiths require certain rites, including burial customs. Leeds council, had already announced that it would cremate all bodies, without a service or mourners, following the Government’s Coronavirus Bill.
Last week the Government’s emergency legislation to help stop the spread over-ruled the law that made it illegal for local Authorities to cremate bodies against the wishes of the deceased or their families.
Every local authority (and the government, should the government take over the responsibility) should be given the funding and resources to deal with increased demands on morgues, crematoriums and registry offices, while respecting the wishes of those communities for whom cremation is not an option.
Tower Hamlets, like other parts of the country, is home to minority ethnic community. Muslims and Jews cannot cremate their dead, but Muslims do accept that – under pressing conditions – certain traditions and funeral rites will not be possible to honour, due to concern for contamination. Nevertheless, burial is something that Muslims cannot compromise on.
Following concerns raised by different political persuasions, faith and community groups, the Government amended its Coronavirus Bill on Monday to address concerns over possible forced cremations. Under Part 3 of this schedule (27), which is titled "power to direct local authorities etc", new lines have been added. It states: "Local authorities and the appropriate national authorities must have regard to the desirability of disposing of a dead person's body or other remains, in accordance with the person's wishes, if known, or otherwise in a way that appears consistent with the person's religion or beliefs, if known."
It is welcoming for the Government to step up and listen to the concerns of faith communities and cross-party concerns on this matter during such uncertain times. There are approximately 300 crematoriums in the UK and 24 in London. There are approximately 45 general cemeteries in London, 2 Roman Catholic cemeteries and many Jewish cemeteries, some of which are listed here.
Before the Covid-19 outbreak, London still faced challenges regarding burial provision. The Audit of London Burial Provision used projections to model demand for burial space from 2010/11-2030/31, but this was based on predicted deaths at the time. It showed a changing preference for burial over cremation based on the increase in religious/ethnic groupings in London, with more people opting for burial over cremation. There is no significant burial provision in eight Inner London boroughs.
In Iran, coronavirus burial sites are so vast that they are visible from space. In Italy, funeral providers are overwhelmed, with a waiting list for burials. Coffins are lined up in churches and many funerals are taking place with no family members present. The pandemic has already killed at least 60 priests in Italy and many more have been hospitalised. In Madrid, the city’s prime funeral home said that it would stop the collection of Covid-19 victims from 24 March because of lack of protective equipment.
This week Liberal Democrats Greater London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon MBE wrote to Dr Fiona Twycross, Deputy Mayor of London for Fire and Resilience. She wrote “With London being at the centre of the COVID-19 outbreak in the UK and the expectation that there will be a significant increase in the number of people dying in the capital as a result of the current crisis; I wanted to know what consideration had been given to how the dignity of a deceased person’s faith will be upheld and how people will be supported to bury their loved ones. It will also be important to consider and respect the wishes of those with no faith.”
A deceased person’s faith needs to be supported and upheld, as does that of people of no faith, but in doing so, protecting public health is still paramount. This is only possible by working together for the wellbeing of everyone, with no exceptions.
