In Israel, activists are calling for the new government to finally implement free civil burial options, in addition to the existing provision of religious burials at government expense. Yivat Solel, legal advisor to the Menucha Nechona (Rest in Peace) organization, writing an op-ed for YNet News says: "Ten years ago, Israel enacted a law requiring the state to provide burial options for all citizens, in accordance with their beliefs-- at no cost. But to date, the only cemetery in the country that has implemented the law is the regional cemetery in Beer Sheva." Solel charges that existing burial societies have impeded implementation of civil options to protect the revenue they now receive from conducting religious ceremonies.
UPDATE: Jerusalem's Mayor Uri Lublianski has announced that Jerusalem will create a cemetery for free burial of secular Israelis, despite opposition from the city's large ultra-Orthodox community. The first secular cemetery to be endorsed by a municipal government, it should be completed by 2007. (Haaretz, May 9.) [Thanks to Dick Schectman for the lead.]
