Mixed reactions have greeted the signing into law of the cremation bill by Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State.
The law had given legal teeth to state authority to burn unclaimed corpses in its mortuaries– after a period of time.
Reacting to the development, Mr Charles Audu, a lawyer, told NAN that the signing into law of the bill was a commendable effort by the governor because it would help reduce the problem of unclaimed corpses.
“This is a commendable effort by the Governor because it will help reduce the problem of mortuaries being filled with unclaimed corpses,” he said.
Mr Adewale Adeleke, also a Lagos based lawyer, told NAN that though the Lagos state government had signed the bill into law with good intentions, including decongesting morgues, some other things should have been considered.
“This is Africa where we have people with different beliefs, superstitions and traditions that could contradict the idea of cremating corpses; I just personally feel all these things should have been considered.”
Mrs Olaitan Aina, a teacher, said that though the act was not compulsory on all residents, but the feelings of the masses should have been considered before its enactment because nobody would like to see or hear that the corpse of a relative, friend or family member was burnt.
“The act of cremating unclaimed corpses could have psychological effects on their families, if they later find out and think of what must have been done to the body. I just hope there is a form of counselling for them,” she said.
Miss Adenike Sobowale, a trader, noted the novel idea behind cremating unclaimed corpses, but questioned what happened to those without the means for burying their relatives.
“If we can’t keep the corpse at home and we have no money for a burial yet, are we now going to be forced to leave the corpse for cremation?”, she asked.
The law empowers medical practitioners, with government approval, to cremate abandoned and unclaimed corpses, after a reasonable period of time has been given as notice. (NAN) Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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this is rubbish and will never happen in the north. are there no better alternative to do away with unclaimed corpses? that they are not claimed does that shows they are irresponsible or unreligious people. So humanbeing is now reduced to the status of used money and needed to be burn't to ashes. is it not the same govt that will bear the cost of cremation that would have bear the cost of mass burial. if the xtains will accept this which i doubt much i urge the muslims to vehemently oppose it. The right place for any dead is mother earth from which we are created.
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