Question:
A question from a doctor:
Its about Cremation forms that as Doctors we have to fill out before a body is cremated. If a family choose to cremate their deceased, then a doctor has to sign a Cremation form to verify that the death was not suspicious. In effect to clarify that there is no need to further investigate the death of the patient.
The alternative to a buried body would be to exhume a body, should the need arise for any further investigations surrounding the death. As this is not possible for a pile of dispersed ashes, the doctor has a responsibility to complete the form to confidently convince the Coroner that the death was not suspicious. There is a fee charged on the family for the doctor’s time in completing this form, as technically, it is non-NHS commitment, purely for legal purposes. The sum awarded to the Doctor is £87.50. Is this money Halal to accept?
To clarify – the money is not to permit a cremation, but to verify that there is no cause for concern in the death of the individual.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The Answer:
The service fee awarded to a doctor for completing a cremation form is lawful and permissible to accept. The fee is in lieu of a lawful service and therefore permissible to accept.
And Allah Ta’ālā Alone Knows Best
Mufti Faraz Adam,
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