Muslim distress at burial delays, meeting told

BODIES in Birmingham are not being released in time for families to properly observe cultural and religious traditions, a council meeting has been told.

There are also delays in the registration processes for births and deaths, as well as concerns council cemeteries do not adequately cater for the needs of different religions.

Furthermore, it has been alleged that bereaved people are being told to stop calling the coroner’s office because staff are “too busy”.

The city council has voted to address the issue, but Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors have criticised Labour’s approach.

Lib Dem Councillor Ayoub Khan tabled a motion for debate noting the “extreme distress and, in some instances, financial hardship” caused by delays. He called for the council to set out action to eliminate delays. He also called for an urgent review to examine the reasons for delays and the facilities at council cemeteries.

Addressing the council chamber, Cllr Khan told how Muslim communities are distressed at being unable to perform burial rites according to their religion. According to Islam, muslims should be buried as soon as possible after death. Cllr Khan said: “Services as they are are simply unacceptable. Families are calling the coroner’s office to be told, ‘please don’t call us. We are too busy. Your calls delay us’.”

Seconding the motion, Cllr Zaker Choudry, who represents South Yardley, added there are insufficient facilities at cemeteries in the city for Muslims to perform Wudu before praying at funerals.

Labour councillor John Cotton proposed an amendment to the motion which noted the delays were due to post-Covid changes in registration processes and in GP practices which impacted on the issuing of medical certificates for cause of death, leading to coroner referrals doubling overnight.

Cllr Cotton’s amendment also added a paragraph recognising the coroners service is an independent judicial function, managed by the Chief Coroner for England and Wales and not the city council.

Alex Yip, Conservative councillor for Sutton Wylde Green, backed Councillor Khan’s proposal for plans to eliminate delays, and install an autopsy scanner. He also called for coronial services to be relocated to three hospital sites – the QE Women’s, Good Hope, and Heartlands.