There is growing frustrations within Christchurch’s Muslim community over the release of the bodies of Friday’s attack, with families eager to bury their loved ones thwarted from doing so to date.
Muslims customarily bury the deceased within 24 hours of death. Before their burial, the bodies are washed and wrapped in a white shroud so that funeral prayers can be conducted.
On Sunday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said some bodies would be returned to victims’ families the same evening and expressed hope that all of those killed would be with their relatives again by Wednesday at the latest.
Officials have pledged to move swiftly in returning bodies to the victims’ families, acknowledging the need to act as “quickly and sensitively as possible”.
Mike Bush, New Zealand’s police chief, said on Sunday that authorities were aware of the “cultural and religious needs” of Muslim victims.
On Tuesday, New Zealand Police Association President Chris Cahill said he understood the “great level of frustration” felt by families eager to reclaim their loved ones but added officials had to “follow procedure”.
“The last thing anyone would want is to get the wrong body back,” Cahill told Al Jazeera.
“It’s a challenge of procedures versus culture … I think the message has got through but sometimes in moments of grief it’s totally understandable that the frustration still continues.”
The Coronial Services of New Zealand declined to comment when contacted by Al Jazeera on Tuesday.