The Greek Orthodox Church says it will not provide religious rites for those who choose cremation, saying it disrespects the human body, Agence France-Presse reported.

“The incineration of the body is not in keeping with the traditions and actions of the Church, for anthropological and theological reasons,” the Church said in a statement, Gazeta.ru reported.

Cremation was made legal in Greece in 2006, but there is still nowhere it can be carried out in the country.

The authorities of Athens and Thessaloniki have long called for crematoriums in the face of dwindling space for cemeteries, but they have been repeatedly rebuffed by the Greek religious society.