March 24, 2009
Source: BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7960489.stm
A Hindu man has told the High Court he wants to die "with dignity" and not be "bundled in a box", in a case to retain open-air cremations.
Davender Ghai, 70, a devout Hindu, wants to overturn a Newcastle Council decision preventing funeral pyres being held in line with religious practice.
Mr Ghai insists that the process is essential to free the soul after death.
His human rights application is set to last three days. The council says such cremations are "impractical".
Hindus in India have been carrying out open cremations for more than 4,000 years, but their requirements have been deemed impractical in UK council crematoria.