The two day Cemeteries Workshop hosted by the eThekwini Municipality has ended with a number of recommendations, on how to deal with the shortage of burial space in the City and other cemetery related issues being made. The workshop was attended by Municipal officials, members of the public and other relevant stakeholders with an aim of discussing critical issues regarding the sustainable provision of the cemetery services in the City.
Various topics were discussed and debated during the workshop and opinions from different stakeholders and organisations were reviewed by the panel that conducted the workshop. From the views expressed, recommendations were made and will be taken through all the relevant Council processes before a final decision is taken.
Below is the list of recommendations that were tabled by the Head of Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit, Mr. Thembinkosi Ngcobo, as a means of finding a solution to the challenges being faced by the City in relation to cemetery service delivery:
- Tombstones should be replaced with headstones and groundstones.
- All paupers should be cremated in a dignified and humane way.
- To lease a grave will cost R650 for the first ten years and the tariff will increase to R5 000 should the family wish to lease the grave for an additional 10 years.
- The Municipality will work in partnership with ward councillors to implement the indigent burials.
- A R1000 penalty fee should be paid for not keeping to the prescheduled time at cemeteries. Families will be allowed a 15 minutes grace period, thereafter the penalty fee will be applicable. This amount should be paid upfront as part of the deposit fee and will be refundable.
- Service providers are to make environmentally friendly coffins.
- Loon Road Cemetery and other 58 cemeteries should be relandscaped and reused.
- Construction of private cemeteries is encouraged.
- Building of two crematoria facilities in the KwaMashu and Umlazi areas.
- The Municipality is to embark on an extensive educational campaign regarding the alternative burial methods, particularly in predominantly black communities.
- Establish two regional cemeteries in the City.
- Establish formal cemeteries in rural areas.
- Ensure that all undertakers are registered to work and that they comply with all the relevant regulations.
- Graves of historic significance will not be affected by the proposed changes.
After the recommendations have been tabled before the Executive Council and a final decision has been made, the public will be informed of the new developments.
