A TAMESIDE councillor is hoping to allow more flexibility in times when Muslim burials can take place.
Currently, cemeteries at Ashton Hurst and Hyde allow faith ceremonies until 2.30pm.
But Cllr Kaleel Khan has launched an attempt to convince the authority to allow them to take place later in the day, for at least 12 months, to ease the strain on families of those who pass away in an evening or overnight.
He said: “In Islam, we try to bury the deceased as soon as possible.
“Every time there is a Muslim funeral in Tameside, we hear the same question, ‘What are we doing about the burial times?’
“When someone dies, particularly later in the day, families can have very little time to get everything ready for a same-day burial.
“Having to get everything ready before 2.30pm can add even more stress and pressure at one of the hardest times in a family’s life.
“We are not asking for unrestricted cemetery opening hours or for normal safety procedures to be ignored.
“We are simply asking for reasonable flexibility, understanding and compassion where possible – we are asking Tameside Council to support a 12-month pilot for more flexible Muslim burial times after 2.30pm at Ashton Hurst Cemetery and Hyde Cemetery.
“This could include a later burial slot, possibly up to 4pm, while also allowing greater flexibility during the summer and winter months, taking account of daylight hours, staffing, safety and what is practical.
“A 12-month pilot would give us the chance to see what works, understand how often families need additional time and find a safe and practical way forward together.”
Cllr Khan has examined processes in neighbouring Oldham, which has introduced greater flexibility around same-day burials, including later notification and paperwork deadlines and later burial times.
It has also introduced out-of-hours registration arrangements to support time-critical burials on weekends and Bank Holidays.
And he has launched an online petition, which has so far gathered more than 600 signatures and is open until November 23.
That will then be taken to Tameside Council and a motion submitted asking it to support a 12-month pilot for more flexible Muslim burial times.
Cllr Khan added: “If greater flexibility can be explored in neighbouring areas, we believe it is reasonable for Tameside to look at what could work for our local families too.
“Whether the person who has died is a baby, child, teenager, adult or older person, every family deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion and understanding at one of the most difficult times in their lives.”