A third of the Maltese population will consider cremating themselves after death and will soon have the option to do so.

These survey results were cited in a public consultation document on cremation that was launched today by Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar, who is spearheading the proposed law, and Health Minister Chris Fearne.

The document is seeking public opinion on a number of cremation-related issues, most of which are pretty bureaucratic, such as whether a register should be set up to record people’s wishes to be created following their death.

However, it also includes a more fundamental question; whether crematoria should be allowed to store and preserve DNA of cremated people for a defined period of time.

While the idea of the DNA of thousands of dead people stored in one room may sound a little creepy, the proposal seeks to address a potential problem of cremation, in that it will allow people to trace their lineage to the cremated dead

“This creation bill will make progress in a sector which has, for centuries, remained unchanged, despite the fact that death is an inevitability for us all,” Cutajar said today.

“The concept of cremation is by no means modern or new; indeed, throughout history, many civilisations adopted it as the main method of disposing their dead,” she continued. “Today, this reflected in the fact that most countries in the world have access to cremation. We want to extend this access to Malta, without distinction between class, culture or religion.”

“Personal autonomy and choice are fundamental values, not only during our lives, but also in death,” Cutajar said. “We must also keep in mind the loved ones we leave behind, for whom last goodbyes are always difficult. Cremation will offer a dignified, alternative ceremony for those who don’t feel comfortable with the burial process.”

Would you prefer to be cremated or buried?

READ NEXT: Cremation In Malta Could Seriously Be On The Way As Government Announces New Bill

Tim Diacono

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]