Family told no Saturday funeral because they are not Muslim

A grieving family have been prevented from holding a funeral service for a close relative at the weekend because they are not Muslim. Harold Lemaire, a retired steel erector, died in a nursing home last week at the age of 75 after suffering a stroke.

His stepdaughter Jean Maltby wanted to hold the funeral service this Saturday to allow members of the family who live outside the area to attend. But when a funeral director called Sheffield's City Road Cemetery to make the arrangements he was informed it was not allowed because the family were not Muslim.

Mrs Maltby, 56, said: "I was stunned when I learned we couldn't have the service and burial on a Saturday. It's 2008 but there seems to be a group of rules for one section of society and a group of rules for another."



Sheffield City Council said it did not allow funerals to be held at weekends, except for Muslims because Islam deems that the dead must be buried as soon as possible.

Mrs Maltby, from Greenhill, Sheffield, added: "I'm told that although Muslims like it to take place as quickly as possible their faith allows up to six days for burial. I am not criticising Muslims, my criticism is directed at Sheffield city council. It's another case of political correctness gone mad.

"This type of attitude will only alienate one section of society against the other, it's a stupid policy and one that needs changing."