THE AUTHOR OF LAW AGREES TO BE CREMATED

Panorama.am
15:47 07/03/06

The NA Deputy Vladimir Badalyan was suddenly concerned with the
fact that the territory of Armenia is gradually transformed into
cemeteries. And this is the reason why the latter decided to write
the law about “Organization of funeral processions and exploitation
of cemeteries and crematoria”. To remind, the NA adopted this law,
which is unacceptable for Armenian Apostolic Church, in the previous
four-day sessions.

“Every citizen of Armenia ought to respect and protect every square
kilometer of land,” said NA Deputy Vladimir Badalyan at the conference
while disputing with Hakob priest Khachatryan. The Deputy was much
concerned with the fact that if one opens the window of oncological
hospital he may see a cemetery there.

“Can you imagine the state of a patient who can see such a scene from
his window?” The Deputy also considers cremation a necessity taking
into consideration the “ecological and sanitary problems”.

The latter has studied the international experience very well which
showed him that in a number of European countries the 70% of the
Europeans want to be cremated. As the priest said the position of the
church is unequivocal: cremation is not appropriate for the national
mentality of Armenians. “From the point of view of saint writing
cremation is rejected by Armenian Apostolic Church,” he added.

The law of the Deputy offers an alternative: one can be cremated if
he or she wants it. In the opposite case he can be buried. The ashes
will be taken to a special wall which will be built in the future.

And the location of that wall will be decided by the Municipality.

Yet, all this will be realized after 2008. And before that the
native Deputy is amazed at Swiss experience: “The average salary in
Switzerland is 7000-8000$. And when a person dies the state carries
out all the expenses. And a Swiss spends 2000$ all in all.” Of
course Armenia leaves much to desire to reach Switzerland not only
in this sphere.

The Deputy doesn’t know whether people are ready to be cremated or
not: “We have no statistics. I know that people of my circle agreed
with the law to be passed,” he answered. And is the Deputy himself
ready to be cremated? The answer was “Yes”. In this case the Church
will not take part in the burial process of the one who wants to
be cremated. “The one who has chosen the way of cremation sins,”
the priest insisted.