New Hawaii Law Legalizes Traditional “Clean Burial” Practice
At Reuters, Suzanne Roig reports that Hawaii Governor David Ige on Tuesday legalized an ancient Hawaiian practice called “clean burial.” The state previously considered the burial custom, which involves “allowing family members to handle bones of deceased loved ones after their flesh is removed in a partial cremation,” a health risk and a violation of Hawaii’s penal code. “This measure makes it very clear that the most sacred traditions are allowed to be exercised by our Native Hawaiian community,” Governor Ige said.