NEW YORK (JTA) — The New York City medical examiner warned that Jewish burial could be threatened by proposed budget cuts.
Dr. Charles Hirsch told a City Council hearing Wednesday that the $7 million he has been ordered to cut from the medical examiner’s budget could hamper efforts to expedite the speedy burials of Jews and Muslims, The Associated Press reported.
Under Jewish custom, burial is supposed to take place as soon as possible after death. Hirsch said the cuts could delay the issuing of deaths certificates, a requirement for burial.
Keep Jewish Stories in Focus.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
