Greece approves cremation

Greece has broken ranks with centuries-old Orthodox religious tradition, passing a law allowing the cremation of the dead.

Demand for the option of cremation had risen in recent years as Greece's overcrowded cemeteries force bereaved relatives to exhume their loved ones, sometimes only partly decomposed, after three years to make way for the next coffin.

In a late-night session on Wednesday, Greece's ruling conservative party, the main opposition Socialists and a smaller left-wing party voted for the proposal to allow cremation.

This decision, brought on by years of pressure from human rights groups and state ombudsmen, comes at a time when the powerful Greek Orthodox church which opposed the plan, is embroiled in a series of bribery and embezzlement scandals.

"The cremation of foreigners or Greeks, whose religious convictions allow the cremation after death, is allowed," the new law said.

According to the law, Orthodox Greeks can also opt for cremation as long as they have stated this in writing prior to their death or their immediate relatives wish it.

"A pre-condition for the cremation is the clear, unequivocal statement of the deceased, or their relatives... that they wish to be cremated," the law said.

In a country where more than 95 per cent of the population is Orthodox, the families of deceased who did not wish to be buried spend thousands of euros to transport loved ones to neighbouring Bulgaria for cremation.

For decades the Greek Orthodox church had strongly opposed such a move, saying the body is God's creation and cannot be burnt. But the Church now says it does not plan to protest against the decision.

"The Church does not oppose and has no right to oppose the cremation of the dead for those of other religions or other Christian denominations," Church of Greece spokesman Charis Konidaris said.

"For the Orthodox people though, it recommends burial as the only way for the decomposition of the deceased human body, according to its long traditions," he told Reuters.

Rights activists had argued the ban on cremation violated basic human rights such as equality and religious freedom.

The Church was last year marred by a bribery, extortion and sex scandals and saw its support among Greeks dwindle.

A large influx of non-Orthodox immigrants from Asia and other Balkan countries had also increased demand for cremation.