New actions to allow families to practice cultural and religious funeral rituals
SURREY – BC NDP candidate for Surrey – Serpentine River Baltej Dhillon, and candidate for Surrey North Rachna Singh announced a new commitment to remove barriers that prevent families from practicing their religious and cultural funeral rites after they’ve lost a loved one. The BC NDP will do this by working towards making ash scattering areas and sites accessible in waters across the province, beginning in Surrey.
“Losing someone you love is extremely difficult, and you and your family should be able to mourn with respect to your culture and traditions. You should be able to honour your loved ones,” said Dhillon. “That’s why the BC NDP would make ash scattering areas available, so you can send your loved ones off with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
Sikh and Hindu communities have long practiced last rituals that involve immersing the ashes of their loved ones in water. The BC NDP will work to remove barriers to these important rites across the province by working with local governments, First Nations and local communities, and taking into account any environmental impacts.
“When you’re already going through loss, the last thing that you should have to worry about is if you can or cannot say goodbye to a family member or a friend in the way they would’ve wanted,” said Singh. ”Every community mourns differently, and the BC NDP is committed to respecting cultural practices across the province.”
