The Chief Coroner of England and Wales has strongly criticised the conduct of Mary Hassell, the controversial Senior Coroner for Inner North London over her policy of refusing to prioritise religious burials as “unlawful”.
Judge Mark Lucraft described Ms Hassell’s conduct as “over rigid”, “not capable of rational justification”, and “unlawful”.
He also described the Ms Hassell’s failure to respect the Jewish and Muslim requirement for quick burials as being in breach of the Human Rights Act. He said: “The interest of a Jewish or Muslim person in having a close relative buried on the day of death or as soon as possible thereafter qualifies as a right protected by Article 9 [Human Rights Act]. Early burial is a manifestation of religious belief.”
Judge Lucraft made the comments as part of his submission to a judicial review being held following an application by the Adath Yisroel Burial Society (AYBS).
