‘Hindus Feel Let Down’: Malta Remains Without Crematorium Three Years After Cremation Law Approved
A religious statesman has asked Maltese authorities to take action and help Hindus living in Malta amid the absence of a crematorium.
Without a crematorium, Malta’s Hindu community has been left with no option but to seek out funeral rites abroad. An option that comes with a sizeable price tag.
Frustrations have mounted considering that the law allowing cremation was approved in May 2019. But three years on, persons wishing to have the service carried out locally are unable to do so.
Rajan Zed, the President of the Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that many Hindus, amongst others, now feel “let down” after the project was left on the back burner.
“According to some estimates, it might be 2025 or 2026 when a working crematorium would be available to the public. The law is reportedly still to be signed by the Malta President in order for it to be enacted,” Zed said.
Many persons have sought out cremation, and for a number of reasons. However, the practice is an essential one for Hindus, who believe that the physical body no longer serves a purpose after death.
“Cremation signifies spiritual release. It helps sever ties to the earthly life and gives momentum to the soul for its spiritual journey.”
“Cremations abroad cost around €5,000 at least,” Zed added. “If the government is unable to offer a subsidy, then in the meantime, Hindus should be allowed to cremate their deceased on traditional open pyres in Malta.”
“Funeral rites were one of the main samskaras (sacraments) of Hindu life,” he said. “Malta should follow its own constitution, which states that ‘All persons in Malta shall have full freedom of conscience and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of religious worship’.”
Minister for Health Chris Fearne announced in July 2021 that a crematorium in Malta would be launched within the span of a few months, once the extension to Addolorata cemetery is completed.
Regulation will be in the hands of the Superintendence of Public Health, who will be responsible for monitoring crematoria, conducting inspections on them at least once a year and empowering them to take all necessary action if they breach their license obligations.
People who operate illegal crematoria risk a three to five-year prison sentence and/or a fine of between €10,000 and €30,000. License breaches are punishable by six months’ jail and a fine of €5,000 and €15,000.
Do you think the state needs to step up its efforts to have a crematorium constructed in Malta?