Syro-Malabar Church permits cremation

The church used to permit cremation of dead bodies until now under extra-ordinary circumstances.

Kochi:  The Syro-Malabar Church based in Kerala has decided to permit its members spread across India and in many foreign countries to cremate the their dead in what is seen as a major deviation from its traditional stance.

The decision was taken at the Synod of the bishops held at the church headquarters at Kakkanad in Cochin.

Church's spokesman Fr. Paul Thelakkattu said the decision was taken due to space crunch in the existing graveyards and non-availability of land for building new ones. Fr. Paul said that the bodies would be cremated only in accordance with the Christian practice of offering prayers for the deceased.

The church used to permit cremation of dead bodies until now under extra-ordinary circumstances. The power in this regard was vested with the Major Archbishop, who heads the Church. The synod has now delegated it to the bishops.

The synod has vested the bishops with powers to sanction cremation if relatives of the deceased requested for it. Fr. Paul said if a person wants cremation, he or his family members can approach their local diocese bishop for permission.

He said the decision was not meant to popularize cremation but to simplify the procedure.

Source: Khaleej Times