- In St Vincent, Some cemeteries near capacity, others rapidly approaching capacity
- Government Upholds Personal Burial Choice Despite Calls for Alternatives
There are some challenges regarding access and space for cemeteries nationally. Minister of Urban Development Benarva Browne says currently the ministry manages 45 cemeteries, and about 25% of those are pass capacity or very rapidly approaching capacity.
Browne said the situation remains a challenge, adding that there’s also a shortage of suitable land for cemeteries, and the expansion is a bit of a challenge while issues related to climate change have affected the cemeteries.
“We have some activities planned to try and address the issues regarding cemeteries. One of the things that we’re looking at at first is the digitization of some of these cemeteries, and we are running a small project because, in some instances, there is no or very limited record-keeping in terms of cemeteries kept. We are also looking to establish new cemeteries where we are near capacity or rapidly approaching capacity.”
Browne said that, while some people have advocated for different ways of burial, the government has not complied with this request, stating that the way of burial is a personal choice.
“It is a policy of this administration that your way of dealing with the dead and disposal of bodies is a personal choice, and it’s one that must be respected. So although it might be difficult for us to find land, we still have to because traditional burial is what people want. But the alternatives are available,” Browne said.
The ancient world is full of examples of burial customs that seem strange now, but the most recent one is a process that uses heat, pressure, and chemicals to liquefy a body in just a few hours, leaving behind sterile remains that can be poured into the wastewater system.
