Thank you for contacting me about the provisions in the Covid-19 emergency legislation concerning burial and cremation of the dead.
I understand and share your concerns about ensuring that the dead are treated according to their own and their families' wishes as does the Government which is why, after listening to the concerns of members of the Jewish and Muslim communities in particular, it adopted its own amendment to the Bill on the issue, accepting the need to adhere to the specific wishes of different faiths regarding cremation.
Ministers assure me that there should be no public health reason or capacity reason why someone who wished to be buried would be cremated.
In all circumstances, personal choice will be respected as far as possible, especially as regards the arrangements for loved ones after they have passed on. I understand that the purpose of the provisions and the amendment is to ensure that people’s choices can be adhered to, that the dignity of the deceased is respected and that support services for families are in place.
I hope you find this reassuring.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Craig Whittaker MP
March 2020