October 11, 2004
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald/The Telegraph
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/10/10/1097406424001.html?oneclick=true
On October 11, 2004 The Telegraph reported, "There are no temples or funeral pyres on its banks, but the River Soar in Leicestershire has been approved as an alternative holy site to India's Ganges for Hindu funerals. After requests from the Asian community of 250,000, the Environment Agency has approved ceremonies in which the ashes of dead Hindus and Sikhs are scattered across the water. A boat hire company has also been authorised to provide a fully customized service for the funerals, which are increasing in demand in the English Midlands."