City graves close to capacity
City of Windhoek's cemeteries are close to capacity and should be filled up within the next five years, at which point a new cemetery will become operational.
The new site is planned for opposite the Western Bypass in the Rocky Crest suburb.
Giving an update on the state of the City's cemeteries, spokesperson Scheifert Shigwedha said this does not mean there is cause for concern, as there is sufficient burial space for the time being.
The Rocky Crest cemetery will be developed in phases and will be completed in five years. The developed parts of the cemetery will be utilised, so there is no cause for concern at all, he said.
The City has previously said the design of the master plan will follow soon and the environmental impact assessment of the new cemetery is already underway.
“It is estimated that the Gammams cemetery will reach its full capacity within the next two to three years and due to the double burial system currently used by the City this will prolong the lifespan of the cemetery,” Shigwedha said.
According to him, the new Oponganda cemetery extension will accommodate most of the burials within the next five years.
Shigwedha encouraged family members to apply to re-use old family graves, which are 30 years and older, as this is allowed by the City. It is compulsory in all City cemeteries that all graves are dug to such a depth that they can accommodate two human remains from the same family. “The re-using of old graves, which are 30 years and older has been ongoing for a long time, upon request from families wanting to re-use graves for the same family members, and it is not because the City has run out of burial space, but it is an available option,” Shigwedha said.
The City will also sensitise black communities to consider cremation as an option for their departed loved ones, Shigwedha said.
“A lot of education has been done and is in the pipeline, to sensitise the black community concerning cremation, and also cremation is financially feasible method,” he said.
There are three cemeteries in operation currently. To qualify to be buried at the Old Location cemetery, an individual must have been born in 1950.
OGONE TLHAGE
The new site is planned for opposite the Western Bypass in the Rocky Crest suburb.
Giving an update on the state of the City's cemeteries, spokesperson Scheifert Shigwedha said this does not mean there is cause for concern, as there is sufficient burial space for the time being.
The Rocky Crest cemetery will be developed in phases and will be completed in five years. The developed parts of the cemetery will be utilised, so there is no cause for concern at all, he said.
The City has previously said the design of the master plan will follow soon and the environmental impact assessment of the new cemetery is already underway.
“It is estimated that the Gammams cemetery will reach its full capacity within the next two to three years and due to the double burial system currently used by the City this will prolong the lifespan of the cemetery,” Shigwedha said.
According to him, the new Oponganda cemetery extension will accommodate most of the burials within the next five years.
Shigwedha encouraged family members to apply to re-use old family graves, which are 30 years and older, as this is allowed by the City. It is compulsory in all City cemeteries that all graves are dug to such a depth that they can accommodate two human remains from the same family. “The re-using of old graves, which are 30 years and older has been ongoing for a long time, upon request from families wanting to re-use graves for the same family members, and it is not because the City has run out of burial space, but it is an available option,” Shigwedha said.
The City will also sensitise black communities to consider cremation as an option for their departed loved ones, Shigwedha said.
“A lot of education has been done and is in the pipeline, to sensitise the black community concerning cremation, and also cremation is financially feasible method,” he said.
There are three cemeteries in operation currently. To qualify to be buried at the Old Location cemetery, an individual must have been born in 1950.
OGONE TLHAGE
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