Are the Fees In lieu of Completing a Cremation Form Lawful?
The question, as received
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.
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 knows best.
Mufti Faraz Adam
Based on the Hanafi school and on the question as it was asked. Another mufti may reach a different conclusion. Read the disclaimer.