According to Muslim tradition, burial should take place as soon as possible after death, preferably within 24 hours, but in some cases it is taking several days to release bodies, it has been claimed..

The family of Valli Mallu, who died almost two weeks ago after being injured in a car crash, had to wait four days for the body, while a post-mortem was performed.

The 67-year-old's body was released just hours before the funeral was held at Preston Cemetery last Monday.

Iqbal Adam, of Preston Muslim Burial Society, said it is not clear what is causing the delays, but added tighter checks on deaths following the Harold Shipman case could be to blame.

He said: "When we have had meetings with the coroner he says how can he sign a death certificate if he has not had the lab results back.

"It does concern us but when we go deeper we find the coroner can't do much about it until they get a report from the lab.

"There are a few cases where it has been delayed, but we don't know who's to blame."

Preston town centre councillor Michael Lavalette said the Muslim community is being "failed at the most vulnerable time".

In areas such as Bolton special burial arrangements are available for Muslims so bodies can be buried at weekends or Bank Holidays.

The Evening Post contacted the Lancashire Coroner's Office but it referred our reporter back to the Muslim Burial Society.




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