Latest news with #cremation
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Former MIC president Palanivel's remains cremated in Sentul
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — The remains of former MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, who passed away on Tuesday, were cremated at the Sentul Hindu Crematorium here at around 4.30pm today. Earlier, the late leader's body was transported by van from his residence at Jalan Bangkung, Taman Bandaraya, Bangsar, at about 3pm and arrived at the crematorium 45 minutes later. The 45-minute ceremony was held in a solemn atmosphere, attended by around 200 individuals, including family members, MIC vice-chairman Datuk T. Murugaiah, and members of the public. Speaking to Bernama, Murugaiah described Palanivel as a leader who made immense contributions to the party and the community, adding that his sacrifices would always be remembered. Palanivel passed away at 8am on Tuesday at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, leaving behind his wife, Datin Seri P. Kanagam, and four sons. Born on March 1, 1949, in Penang, Palanivel began his career as a research officer with the National Museum under the Bujang Valley Project in 1973 before joining the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) as a senior journalist in April 1977. In 1984, he was appointed as editor of domestic and economic news at Bernama and was later seconded as press secretary to then Works Minister Tun S. Samy Vellu from 1987 to 1990. Palanivel had been active in politics through MIC since the early 1970s and contested his first general election in 1990. He assumed leadership of MIC in 2010 following Samy Vellu's retirement. He won the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat in the 1990 general election and held it for four consecutive terms before losing in 2008, later returning to Parliament in 2013 as the Cameron Highlands MP. Palanivel played a vital role in MIC's leadership, starting as the party's treasurer-general from 1991 to 1994 before being appointed as vice-president in 1995, a post he held for 10 years. He continued his leadership journey as deputy president from 2006 to 2010 and was appointed MIC president in December 2010, a position he held until 2015. Throughout his tenure, Palanivel was known for his dedication to championing the rights and development of the Indian community and initiating various reforms within the party. — Bernama
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Funeral costs in the spotlight
Photo: 123rf Paying to bury (or cremate) the person who meant the most in the world to you is going to be fraught with resentment right from the start. "It's a grudge purchase and also a grief purchase isn't it ... it's a purchase you don't want to make," says Gillian Boyes, the chief executive of the Funeral Directors Association. An average funeral costs around $10,000, but it varies widely. Those costs are in the spotlight with a government health committee report on "cremation costs and associated matters", after advocate group Death Without Debt made a push for a more affordable way of doing things. Funeral directors also had their say in the briefing, along with the Ministry of Health, which agrees that the processes prescribed under legislation are outdated and disproportionate, and need modernisation. The legislation dealing with burial and cremation rules dates back to Acts from 1964 and 1973, but work to update them has been going on for 15 years - and keeps getting pushed out. Funeral directors say that is far too long. "Look, we would love to see that review completed," says Boyes. "There's some bits in the regulations that are just problematic now." She was at a water burial recently which uses technology not dreamed about last century - it is not even a regulated disposal method because the rules have not been updated. "They're doing some work right now on these... and that will tidy that up to an extent, but it is really frustrating that it's sat there for the best part of 15 years and hasn't been completed," says Boyes. Death Without Debt has been holding meetings around the country giving people information about DIY burials, including what people can or can't do, and has been calling for simpler processes. The Health Committee's report recommends the government's End of Life website makes it easier to find information on DIY funerals, and encourages the Health Ministry to make all documents relating to cremation available on the Death Documents website. It also says the current regulations impose high costs on the public and are a barrier for those who want to organise their own funerals. But it stops short of setting changes in motion. There is a lot of paperwork involved with death. There must be either a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, or a coroner's authorisation. All cemetery burials must be registered. For a cremation there is a Medical Referee form that must be signed. And all deaths must be registered with the Department of Internal Affairs. "There's some quite confusing looking forms," says Boyes. "But they are all accessible to anyone, as long as you know how to step your way through them - and many people aren't very good at filling out forms." She believes that concentrating on making sure everyone can download those forms is an easy fix for the government, but there are other more pressing solutions that are a bit more difficult. One of those would be to increase the size of the burial benefit that people who really can't afford to pay for a funeral can access ... it currently sits at $2616.12, well below the average cost of a funeral. Boyes would also like to see price transparency for funerals improved, so people know exactly what they are paying for. Today on The Detail she goes step by step through a funeral director's bill and explains what it involves. Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here . You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter .
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Orzel, Stephen J. 1948-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.
Stephen Joseph Orzel, 77, of St. Joseph, passed away Friday, June 13, 2025. He was born Feb. 18, 1948, in St. Louis, Missouri, son of the late Frances and Harold Orzel. He graduated from Lafayette High School, class of 1966, then joined the United States Navy, serving four years. He married Sandra Osborn on April 10, 1967. Stephen retired from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad after 40 years of service as an Engineer. He enjoyed running a train, flying simulators on the computer, and spending time with family. Stephen was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include: wife, Sandra Orzel, of the home; daughters, Lisa (Kenneth) Wasson, Nevada, Missouri, Jennifer (Patrick) Mink, Ocala, Florida, and Kerry (Christopher) VanFosson, Falcon, Missouri; grandchildren, Ashley (Stephen), Trevor (Kat), Megan (Colton), Garrett, Christyan 'C.J.' (Heather), Kelsie (Nick) Devon, and Jackson; great-grandchildren, Everleigh, Elaya, Elsie, Karver and Gwyndolyn; and his sister, Rose (Bill) Ruckle, Prescott Valley, Arizona. Per Stephen's wishes, there will be no services. He will be cremated under the care of the Rupp Funeral Home. Online condolence and obituary at As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
The Mortician's Chilling Story About Organ Harvesting, Cremation
Originally appeared on E! Online When a family-run business is around for decades, people tend to assume the owners have been competently providing a valuable service. The case of the Lamb Funeral Home on Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena, Calif., proved that looks can be deceiving. While generations of families entrusted their loved ones' bodies to the mortuary established in 1929 by Charles F. Lamb, authorities discovered in 1986 that countless people who paid for cremation services were not getting what they expected in return. And then there was the persistent rumor—addressed in HBO's new docuseries The Mortician—that the founder's great-grandson David Sconce had a hand in dispatching a business rival who was getting too close to the truth. The Mortician has been unpacking the bizarre saga with the help of Sconce, who spent 10 years in prison for probation violation after a complicated legal journey. And—while he denies killing anybody—he remains unapologetic about what went on at the crematorium under his watch. More from E! Online Real Housewives Executive Lauren Miller Dies During Childbirth Arie Luyendyk Jr. Reveals How Daughter Senna, 4, Convinced Him to Have Another Baby After His Vasectomy Emma Watson Competes on Oxford Rowing Team "To me, commingling of ash is not a big deal," Sconce said in the series of his admitted regular practice of cremating as many bodies as possible at once, which basically ensured that families wouldn't be receiving only their loved one's ashes. "I don't put any value in anybody after they're gone and dead, as they shouldn't when I'm gone and dead. It's not a person anymore." He did worry at the time about getting caught, he said, because the practice—which Sconce alleged is common in the cremation industry—was a crime under the state's Health and Safety Code. Meanwhile, the National Funeral Directors Association said in response to The Mortician that, though "the actions chronicled in this documentary are both horrifying and real," they are not indicative of the business itself. "It's important to remember that the subject of this documentary is not representative of the funeral profession as a whole," the organization said in a May 30 statement. "Every day, tens of thousands of funeral directors work around the clock to help families take the first steps toward healing following the death of a loved one. With care, compassion and integrity, they help families create meaningful funeral and memorial services that reflect their loved one's personal values, interests and experiences." Sconce "stupidly justified" what he was up to, he explained in the series, thinking "nobody cares about these people anyway. Most of my cases were scatter-at-sea, no visitors, no viewing." As for the remains returned to loved ones, Sconce maintained that it still didn't really matter what was in that urn. "People just got to be more in control of their emotions," he said, "because that's not your loved one anymore and it never has been. Love 'em when they're here, period." But mixing up ashes was just the tip of the iceberg. Here is the jaw-dropping story of The Mortician: Who Is The Mortician's David Sconce?What Happened at the Lamb Funeral Home? What Was Happening to the Bodies at the Lambs' Pasadena Crematory? How did authorities find out what The Mortician's David Sconce was doing with bodies and ashes? What other criminal activity was going on at the Lamb Funeral Home?What Happened to Tim Waters?How did police connect David Sconce to the beating of Tim Waters?What Was David Sconce Eventually Charged With?Was David Sconce ever charged with Tim Waters' murder?What happened to Laurieanne Lamb and Jerry Sconce?What happened to The Mortician's David Sconce?What happened to the Lamb Funeral Home?Who were the victims of the Lamb Funeral Home?Where is David Sconce now? For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Services not affected by crematorium refurbishment
Visitors have been assured cremations, services and burials will not be affected when chapels at a crematorium are refurbished this summer. Work at the west and east chapels at Bushbury Crematorium in Wolverhampton will be carried out consecutively to cause minimum disruption, City of Wolverhampton Council said. Each chapel will be closed for four weeks, starting with the west from 30 June until 25 July, followed by the east from 28 July until 22 August. Work will not affect burials at Bushbury Cemetery. New carpets and curtains will be installed at West Chapel, in addition to repainting and renovations to the windows and entrance floor. East Chapel will get a new door and also be repainted, with new carpets and lights installed in the entrance hall. Guttering will also be repaired or replaced at both chapels. The flower terrace on the East Chapel will remain open for people who regularly place flowers overlooking the Garden of Remembrance. The council said its bereavement services team would be available to answer questions or concerns. Cabinet member for resident services Bhupinder Gakhal said the authority could "reassure families that this refurbishment work will improve the chapels for services and periods of reflection". Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Crematorium to close for nine months for major work Construction of new crematorium reaches milestone Cremation and burial fees to rise by 5% City of Wolverhampton Council
