Sikhs in New South Wales city not allowed to do local cremation

RELIGIOUS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Sikh families in a multicultural New South Wales city are becoming increasingly frustrated as they are unable to practice the essential rite of cremation close to home.

A crematorium was proposed for Griffith five years ago but is yet to be developed.

The regional city is home to one of the highest Sikh and Hindu populations in the state, with 2021 Census data showing more than 2,200 people practice either religion there.

Coffs Harbour, on the NSW mid-north coast, has roughly the same number of people practicing the faiths, but it has a crematorium.

Narinder Singh Sandhu from the Griffith Sikh community said cremation was vital for some religions.

“In our Sikh religion, or Hindu religion, we are not allowed to bury if a person dies,” he said.

“They have to be burnt, so we need a crematorium in Griffith.”

Mr Singh Sandhu said families had to travel to the closest crematorium in Wagga Wagga, two hours away.

“It’s making it hard for the families,” he said.