It is not permissible to burn a corpse, even if it is a disbeliever

Question:
A questioner says: The law in this country permits the burning of the bodies of the dead, and the Muslim doctor is asked to sign the cremation certificate if he is supervising the death of a patient under his care, such that the cremation process cannot be carried out without his approval. The question is: Is this permissible for him according to the Shari'ah?

Answer:
He is not permitted to do so; because this is cooperation in sin and aggression. He should not sign it for the purpose of cremation. This is not prescribed. If the deceased is a Muslim, it is not permissible to sign for his cremation. As for if the deceased is a disbeliever, it is a matter of consideration, and the safest course for him is not to sign; because cremating a disbeliever is not prescribed, so the safest course is not to sign. But if he is compelled to do so, the matter is easy regarding the disbeliever. As for the Muslim, he does not sign.