Cremation of corpses, which used to be synonymous with the Indians, can now be practiced legally in Lagos State, Nigeria. This follows the signing of the cremation bill earlier passed members of the state House of Assembly into law by the Executive Governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola, as voluntary burning of copses, including unclaimed copses can be done.

Speaking after signing the bill into law in his Alausa office, Ikeja, Governor Fashola said the cremation law is voluntary, adding that its enactment shows how concept of globalization is taken shape in the state.

While acknowledging the Honourable members of the state house of Assembly for responding promptly to the global yearning, the Governor established that cremation is the best way to go.

The state’s Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Ade Ipaye, while explaining the content of the new cremation law, said the law only provides for voluntary cremation. “It is voluntary in the sense that it allows for voluntary cremation, whereby a person may signify interest to be cremated when he/she dies or a deceased’s family members who must attain the age of 18 years can decide to have the copse cremated”, he said.

The law, Ipaye said, makes it legal for the state government to cremate unclaimed corpses in its mortuaries after a period of time. He then said according to Section 2, it stipulates that no cremation may take place except in a crematorium established by the Ministry of Health or by any other body upon the recommendation of the authority and approval by the Commissioner for Health, while Section Six stipulates guidelines to getting permission to cremate and lists those who could apply for permission to cremate which includes child/children of the deceased, a close relative of the deceased, an undertaker and an agent/legal representative.

Also, the commissioner said that Section 10 of the law states that the cremator in charge of a crematorium must not dispose of the ashes remaining after a cremation except in accordance with any reasonable written instructions of the applicant.