Furore over Open Air Cremation in Britain

July 25, 2007

Author: Staff Writer

Source: Hindustan Times

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=ece83f6f-2d80-4fb5-b97d-f39e538572d7&ParentID=3bcfb980-3f3c-4814-bfa0-333182d8d5db&MatchID1=4534&TeamID1=7&TeamID2=16&MatchType1=5&SeriesID1=1143&PrimaryID=4534&Headline=Furore+over+open+air+crema

A Sikh man's open air cremation, the first in Britain in 72 years, has been criticised by the community in the country.

The Sikh Federation of the UK has termed the ritual as "unnecessary", according to a report in the Eastern Eye, an ethnic Asian newspaper.

The federation has also demanded legal action against the Anglo-Asian Friendship Society (AAFS), which had conducted the funeral of Rajpal Mehat.

"As far as Sikhs in the UK are concerned, cremation in gas furnaces with the necessary Sikh religious service is something that is suitable. The AAFS is not representative of the Sikh community," the report quoted a spokesperson of the Sikh Federation as saying.