A PROPOSAL to allow bodies to be buried without coffins to facilitate members of the Muslim faith sparked a lively debate at this month’s Environment Special Policy Committee meeting. The current law dating from 1888 states that human remains must be “enclosed in a coffin of wood or other sufficiently strong material” to be interred in any burial ground. The Department of the Environment has proposed that uncoffined burials should be permitted in a designated area “unless a direction has been issued not to do so by the relevant sanitary authority or medical officer of health”.
A statement from the department noted that “Muslims are normally buried without a coffin if permitted by local law”.
Fine Gael Councillor Jim Long disagreed with the proposal, stating that it would “do away with the dignity of burial”; he also noted that “our forefathers decided that we bury our dead in coffins”.
Cllr Long also expressed concern that the area designated for uncoffined burials “could fill up in a very short time” as the option for such burials would be open to all.
He suggested that “in this present day of economic depression” families may chose to bury deceased relatives without a coffin to save on funeral costs.
Fianna Fail Councillor Kieran O’Hanlon said he had no problem with the proposal, provided that it was not in breach of regulations.
However, Fine Gael Councillor Cormac Hurley commented that Ireland should stick with its existing traditions and added: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
Environment SPC member Sean Griffin stated: “Change is painful for people who have a method of doing something all their lives. But we’ve got to respect everyone else. We should be able to cater for the dead of all types of people.”
Mayor Gerry McLoughlin stated that the issue should be debated further and said: “This is a big issue. Where are we going to end up with this? This is a Christian country.”
The proposal was referred to the City Council meeting later this month.
