Hindu wins Northumberland funeral pyre battle

... and why not?

What struck me about this battle to stop the gentleman having a 'traditional funeral' for his religion: what really struck home over the "environmental standards" issues: was/is this...

When we had foot and mouth in this country the funeral pyres of millions of animals burned long hard, some for days and nights, smouldering away with whatever health hazard may have been caused to the public. Many concerns were issued back then over the pyres. As far as I know the pyres did not need planning permissions and most were open to the public's gaze.

Each year we allow tons of fireworks to be let off into the atmosphere. And we won't even get into other emissions for this discussion. Mercury levels from our owm crematoria are worring but have been/are being addressed now.

etc, etc.

I have no idea how many Hindu folk live in the UK but I suspect there are not a great many and IF - a big if - they all wanted a traditional funeral would it come to anywhere near the level of dangers we already throw into our atmosphere each year?

In short I saw double standards. I am not aware of ALL the facts, as some would be on this case, but I think he should be allowed his funeral and his will, along with others, if he so wishes. Putting the public health argument and planning permission laws in his way either makes it wrong for him or wrong for all those animal pyres and the fireworks each year.

Can anyone throw any legal right on this and why it is deemed different for animal disposal compared to human? Of course we should have it in an enclosed area - not least for the dignity of the human and their family - but we did not say the same for the animal pyres.

I'm curious more than anything as to why a gentleman wanting a tradition funeral should cause the law such a total stressing. Thankfully, in the end, the law has come good for him

Is there really any harm in this?

mp