Open-Air Cremation

Many followers of the Hindu religion desire to have an open-air cremation rather than being cremated in a traditional crematorium. 

The ability of a person to have an open-air cremation is currently being debated in the United Kingdom.  Here are the basic facts of the case:

• Kumar Ghai wants to assure that his desire to have an open-air cremation is carried out.
• The Newcastle City Council indicated that it would not permit his son to dispose of Kumar’s body in this manner claiming that it would violate the 1902 Cremation Act which requires cremation to be performed in a crematorium.
• Kumar has appealed to the English High Court.
• Kumar claims that the Cremation Act breaches his human rights and discriminates against him on the basis of race and religion.
• There is evidence the open-air cremation have been performed before with the authorities turning a blind eye to the practice.

For a detailed discussion, see Jerome Taylor, The Big Question: Why do Hindus want open-air cremation, and should it be allowed?, The Independent, March 25, 2009.