In the presentation of the proposed Cremation Law, approved with 145 votes in favour, one against and three abstentions, the Secretary of State for the Hospital Area, Leonardo Inocêncio, said that Angola performs three to four cremations monthly, a number that could increase above all in Luanda, with the approval of the diploma.
"At the level of our capital, the number is 35 cases during this year and we have a pending body for cremation", said the governor when presenting the law, stressing that the cremation process is optional.
According to Leonardo Inocêncio, those most in demand for cremation are Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Indian citizens.
"Right now that we are in a pandemic, the only way to transfer a body is only possible through cremation", said the Secretary of State for the Hospital Area.
The law is the first in the Angolan legal system to regulate the exercise of crematory activities in the country.
The bill's rationale report emphasizes that cremation is a simple and quick process that avoids affecting the environment and possible sources of infection, especially when death has been caused by infectious diseases and calamities.
"Thus, the present law aims to ensure the implementation of this practice in a way that does not harm public health", underlines the report.
