New Regulations for Funeral Services in Casablanca
In an effort to enhance the dignity of the deceased and protect families from potential financial exploitation, the Casablanca city council is set to adopt a comprehensive new framework governing funeral transportation services. This new set of regulations aims to establish strict pricing guidelines and implement rigorous health and technical conditions for funeral service providers. The upcoming extraordinary session of the municipal council will formally endorse these measures, which are designed to ensure that the deceased are treated with the utmost respect and that their families are shielded from unscrupulous pricing practices.
The proposed regulations stipulate a standard fee of 500 dirhams for the transportation of remains within the urban area, whether from a residence or a hospital to the cemetery. However, this fee increases to 700 or 800 dirhams if the transport involves a stop at a mosque or includes multiple destinations. Additionally, for transfers outside the urban perimeter, a distance-based pricing system will be employed: 9 dirhams per kilometer for trips under 100 kilometers, 8 dirhams for journeys between 100 and 200 kilometers, and 7 dirhams for distances exceeding 200 kilometers. The regulations also specify that the cost of a wooden coffin is set at 800 dirhams for adults and 400 dirhams for children, while shrouds and incense are capped at 300 dirhams.
Requirements for Funeral Service Providers
To comply with the new regulations, licensed funeral service providers must maintain a fleet of at least four vehicles, each no older than five years. These vehicles must be impeccably maintained and painted white inside and out, featuring green inscriptions that read, "There is no deity but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah," alongside the phrase, "Transport of deceased Muslims." The framework emphasizes that any violations of the established guidelines will result in warnings from municipal authorities, compelling non-compliant companies to rectify their operations or face termination of their service contracts. To ensure adherence, the regulations include punitive measures, such as fines of 2,000 dirhams for non-compliance with pricing rules and 1,000 dirhams for failing to display prices within vehicles and business premises.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
