Quote:
Originally Posted by rousseau
Huh, I did not know that. That could be a point of contention down the road if the Muslim population continues to grow, as it undoubtedly will.
|
The demand created by the growing Muslim community is being offset by growth in other groups that traditionally practise cremation (e.g., Hindus, Sikhs, etc.) and by rapidly changing preferences among the Christian and non-religious populations.
Several municipalities in the GTA have designated specific ash-scattering locations in response to skyrocketing demand from the Hindu and Sikh communities, as outlined in
this 2021 article from the Star. From the article:
Quote:
The demand for locations to host ash-scattering ceremonies is growing along with the rise in the number of cremations conducted in Canada — and not just among Sikhs and Hindus, for whom scattering the ashes on flowing water is a sacred ritual.
In 2000, less than half of all deaths in Canada were followed by cremation: 47 per cent, according to the Cremation Association of North America. In 2020, that figure stood at 73 per cent. It is projected to rise to 77 per cent by 2025.
|