Officials from the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) Parks and Cemeteries Department hosted a public participation meeting at the Victor Ndlazilwana Community Hall in Daveyton on September 9 to present the revised cemetery and crematorium by-laws.

The session formed part of a series of engagements that began last month across the city to ensure residents and stakeholders contribute to the decision-making process.

Cemetery manager Sizo Xaba said the current by-laws were last updated in 2006, adding that the review aims to align them with the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 and the Constitution’s Bill of Rights.

Some of the proposed changes include making the by-laws more responsive, fair, and equitable, introducing stricter fines to deter non-compliance, adjusting weekend burial application cut-off times to Thursdays at 12:00, exempting stillbirths from late booking fees, and updating burial management measures to align with current legislation.

One challenge was the requirement for funeral bookings to be submitted two working days before a burial, along with documents, such as death certificates.

Officials acknowledged that delays at the Department of Home Affairs often prevent undertakers from meeting these deadlines, leading to penalties.

As a resolution, the city proposes that written burial applications be submitted at least one working day before the burial. If this is not done, exceptions will apply in cases of religious or cultural requirements, emergency burials or stillbirths, provided submitting sufficient supporting documents are submitted.

On cultural and religious practices, officials stressed that while burial methods depended on individual beliefs and economic factors, certain practices, such as building inside graves or using concrete linings, are prohibited, since bodies are required to decompose naturally in the soil.

Officials also revealed that Ekurhuleni is running out of sustainable burial land, with many cemeteries already full or located on unsuitable terrain such as waterlogged or rocky areas. In addition, suitable land is often reserved for housing or is privately owned, making it costly to acquire.

Xaba encouraged attendees to consider alternative burial methods, including cremation, which is more affordable than traditional burials.

“Ashes can be placed in a wall of remembrance or existing graves, while second and third earth interments offer a cheaper option for families under financial strain. The cost of cremation is lower than that of earth burials and should therefore be considered,” Xaba said.

The draft Cemetery and Crematorium By-laws, with 11 chapters covering burials, cemetery reservations, grave excavations, funerals, exhumations, the disturbance of remains, and more, are available on the CoE website.

Residents may submit their comments by September 25 to Iris Mbele at iris.mbele@ekurhuleni.gov.za or by calling 011 999 3439.