One of the subtle surprises of the Chancellor George Osbourne’s Budget was not about taxes or petrol prices, but to announce a government review on crematorium facilities within the UK.

The Hindu and Sikh communities have been campaigning for years at the lack of adequate facilities in crematoriums for faith based amenities suitable for their respective communities.

The Government responsible for faith issues, the Department of Communities and Local Government will carry out the review by consulting with all faith groups. It really now is up to the faith communities to really get their voice heard and make sure they have at least made their views known. Too often, faith communities have been slow to politically engage in issues that matter to them, only to shout loud later with little impact.

Trupti Patel, President of Hindu Forum of Britain said, ‘We at the HFB have been campaigning for culturally sensitive crematorium facilities for many years. It is indeed good news that the present Conservative Government has recognised this very important issue and will be conducting a major consultation exercise that we hope will result in meeting the needs of our community’.

The Chancellor stated in Parliament “Over the past year, a number of British Hindus and Sikhs have also raised with me their concerns about cremation facilities for their communities. They have told me that often the facilities are not large enough for everyone from the community to pay their respects and don’t always pay enough regard to cultural sensitivities.”

“So this Budget announces a review into these facilities. We want to know more about concerns people from all faiths and none have about these facilities, so we can do more to ensure everybody can mark the passing of their loved ones appropriately. That’s why we have launched this consultation and I would urge everyone to make their views known on this important issue.”

The campaign for adequate crematorium facilities hit the news headlines nine years ago.A 76-year-old British Hindu, Davender Ghai, founder of the Anglo-Asian Friendship Society in Newcastle went to court after he was refused a permit for a traditional cremation site on the outskirts of Northumberland. Ghai had stated at the time that “everyone should live and die according to their own religion”. He had further added that people approached his organisation as funerals were becoming expensive and “they can’t afford an alternative”.

After initially losing his High Court challenge, the decision was overturned by the Court of Appeal five year ago paving way for further campaigns to by Hindu and Sikh groups to help improve facilities is already established crematoriums. The Chancellor’s review brings welcome news to the thousands of people campaigning for a fundamental human right.