Aragats Akhoyan: The deceased does not care how he will be buried - in a jar or in a coffin (video)
Lawmakers in Armenia are now discussing two bills submitted by the government and the Country of Law Party (OEK) that suggest regulating funeral services, cemeteries and crematoriums. Lawmaker Aragats Akhoyan considers the construction of luxury cemeteries ‘a waste of money.’ “There are many socially vulnerable families who do everything, even sell their last chicken that lays eggs in order to build a cemetery and not to be criticized by the public,” he said. Republican lawmaker Shirak Torosyan says only in the result of state intervention will it be possible to make people build modest cemeteries with a small gravestone, plaque or cross. Mr Akhoyan says the money spent on cemeteries can be used for other purposes. “I know a cemetery that cost hundreds of dollars. They could have built a school, a cultural centre, or a memorial with the money,” he said stressing that the deceased does not care how he will be buried in a jar or in a coffin. Shirak Torosyan adds, “We all know that in the Soviet era Soviet leaders were cremated and their ash was buried in the Kremlin wall. It is not an anti-Christian act; this is simply a matter of national mentality.” The OEK proposes to create private cemeteries. Shirak Torosyan is against the so-called elite cemeteries. “All men are created equal and we all end up equal in death,” he said. “One can have a tomb like that of Egyptian pharaohs where scientists found slaves, expensive tools and appliances. Even the pharaoh's cats were mummified to keep him company.”
Talking to A1+, Archimandrite Komitas Hovnanian, a prominent figure within the Armenian Apostolic Church, reminded once again that the Armenian Church is against cremation.
