Final answer:
The funeral practitioner's rights and responsibilities are governed by the principle of religious freedom, which is not absolute and can be restricted if there is a compelling state interest.
Step-by-step explanation:
When members of a religious sect request permission to perform a ritual that is legal but contrary to the customs and beliefs of the funeral practitioner, the practitioner's rights and responsibilities are governed by the principle of religious freedom. In many countries, including the United States, the right to freely exercise one's religion is protected by law. However, this right is not absolute and can be restricted if there is a compelling state interest. In such cases, a careful balancing test is applied to determine the outcome.