Community divided over food and alcohol bans, and live-streaming rules at Clare Estate Crematorium

These rules were necessary to restore order, and preserve the sanctity of funeral rituals: Pradeep Ramlall

- MONISHKA GOVENDER

THE Clare Estate Umgeni Hindu Crematorium. | IOL

(IOL)

NEW regulations banning outside food and restricting live-streaming at the Clare Estate Hindu Crematorium have ignited fierce debate between those defending sacred traditions and families seeking practical accommodations during grief.

Religious leaders support the changes, while funeral directors and community members question whether the rules respect cultural practices.

The rules, now prominently displayed on the crematorium premises, prohibits a range of activities including improper conduct, alcohol, loitering, vandalism, outside cooked food, firearms, littering, animals, public urination, and unapproved live-streaming or video recording.

The crematorium’s management said the new rules were enforced after increasing incidents of disruptive, disrespectful and unlawful conduct on the premises.

Chairperson Pradeep Ramlall said these rules were necessary to restore order, and preserve the sanctity of funeral rituals.

“Family members were treating the crematorium as a picnic site. That is wrong.

“They were bringing not just breyani, but mutton breyani and chicken curry. This is a sacred place. They were also littering the place with paper plates.

“We understand when families bring food in polystyrene containers but after they eat, they litter. They have no respect for us.

“Breyani is seen as a luxury food, and they treat the crematorium like a restaurant. There is a difference between being served snacks and serving breyani.”

Ramlall said the crematorium never banned snacks, but full meals prepared in pots were unacceptable.

“It is showing disrespect to other people when the service is happening, when you are busy eating and enjoying yourself. They cannot bring cooked food and have a picnic.