Coroner who refuses to let Jewish or Muslim burials skip the queue accused of breaching human rights

A coroner who refuses to allow Jews or Muslims to skip the burial queue has been accused of breaching human rights laws at the High Court. Mary Hassell, the senior coroner for inner north London, established a policy so that deaths in her jurisdiction are dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis.

It says no death will be prioritised based on the religion of the deceased or their family by either the coroner or her officers. The policy is being challenged at the court in London by religious groups who say it ignores "deeply held beliefs" which require their dead to be buried as soon as possible.

They argue Ms Hassell's stance is unlawful and breaches the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act.

Lawyers told the court on Tuesday that Ms Hassell's jurisdiction covers the boroughs of Camden, Islington, Hackney and Tower Hamlets, which between them have "sizeable" Jewish and Muslim minority populations.
Sam Grodzinski QC told the court there was evidence from Jewish and Muslim leaders that the policy has caused "widespread distress" among faith communities.

The barrister, representing the Adath Yisroel Burial Society, told the court his case was not that religious groups must come first, but that religious belief must be "conscientiously taken into account" by a coroner.

He added: "If the coroner's officer knows that the family has a genuine religious need to hold the funeral of their loved one either later that day or the next day, this religious need cannot lawfully be excluded from the defendant's consideration.

"And yet, the effect of the policy is that the Jewish or Muslim family must simply take their place in the cab rank queue - regardless of whether others require any urgent decision from the coroner."

The court heard that, since first outlining the policy, Ms Hassell has said it is "flexible" and does take into account the wishes of families. In a written statement ahead of the hearing, she said: "My team and I do, in every case, try to help and we tailor that help.

"We respond to particular circumstances and wishes and we accommodate every family when we are able - provided that doesn't materially disadvantage other families, we assist where we can."

The hearing continues before Lord Justice Singh and Mrs Justice Whipple.


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/27/coroner-refuses-let-jewish-Muslim-burials-skip-queue-accused/

Everyone requires that their dead are to be buried as soon as possible... don't they...!?


How can some try to argue that 'they should be dealt with first, given priority service, jumping ahead of everyone else' etc... while also trying to argue that this would be 'equality'...!!!???

Exactly Tommy. I know Jews and Muslims prefer to bury their dead not long after their passing, within three days I think, or sooner. Thing is, we would all like to do that instead of having to wait weeks in some cases, whereby the grieving is much harder imo.

Sorry, I think their dead should be given priority and buried within the time their religion prescribes, often within 24 hours.
Obviously everyone likes to bury their loved ones as soon as possible, but Christians and other faiths dont have the same strict religious expectations.

it's good that it ignores 'deeply held beliefs' in favour of Secular equity. the corner should be commended and those policies put in place everywhere

How many Murders have been covered up by disposing of the body within a few days?

I just think we should respect other peoples beliefs.

Some religions teach to never leave the body of the dead person till they are buried, that's a bit hard if they are hanging around at the mortuary for a couple of weeks.
I believe other less religious people may welcome the time between death and funeral to come to terms with the loved ones passing.

No priority for religious practices, it should all be treated within the secular law of the land, people should understand about the current rules and regulations of where they decide to live. Religion is a choice after all, death isn't or at lest for the majority it isn't.
As Nicko said how do we know what may have happened if a person dies and is buried within 24 hours, its more to do with hygiene in hot countries than religion anyway.

An easy way to get away with poisoning someone is to get them buried or cremated within 24 hrs !

Cremated would be better Nicko, no come backs then.

Your right of course Mags !

Well you can be cremated 2 weeks later and there would be no comebacks.
Not sure what the point is.

Exactly why we have coroners procedures, everyone involved including funeral directors, doctors and the like and any family are expected to raise doubts as to the cause of death of someone. Its more or less how Harold Shipman was caught and because of him why the forms for cremation are more involved and why there's a treble check on all applications that don't have a post mortem.

Yes Vin, which is why it takes longer to bury or cremated loved ones. It has to be done right and if there's any question, then an autopsy is done.