In an effort to preserve the memory of the departed and offer dignified cemetery services, the metro convened an undertakers’ forum with its stakeholders at the Germiston Lake, on Wednesday.
The forum discussions highlighted important issues related to funerals, cremation bookings, current and future plans for cemeteries, tombstones, congestion on weekends, by-laws, tariffs, certificate of compliance and the challenges faced by the stakeholders.
Stakeholders present at the forum included: undertakers, stonemasons, the forensic department, the traffic department, home affairs and social development.
Among those present to tackle the issues was Ekurhuleni’s executive mayor, Clr Mondli Gungubele.
Gungubele, among other things, addressed the problem of burial space.
“Gauteng is the smallest province in the country but with the highest population,” he said.
“Most people, born and bred in Gauteng, want to be buried here.
“The issue of space is very important and we have to discuss and question whether we can continue with separate graves and burying people the way we do now.”
Vandalism at cemeteries was also among Gungubele’s concerns.
“There is also an issue of vandalism, which takes form in many ways,” he explained.
“To me, a cemetery is also vandalised by people who bury illegally.”
Thabo Banda, owner of Khulana Funeral Undertakers based in Katlehong, felt that the forum was due and much-needed.
“It is a good initiative, there are a lot of issues that are affecting us as service providers that need to be discussed,” he said.
“One of the grey areas we, undertakers, think needs to be addressed is the issue around by-laws.
“We feel that these by-laws are not in favour of our current living condition standards.”
“Issues of space, as alluded, and also of pricing are some of the things that we need to deal with.
“Much as we feel it is right for people to pay for graves, the prices of the graves are becoming very exorbitant.”
Banda, who is also the chairman of the South African Funeral Practitioners Association (SAFPA), said he hopes that solutions will materialise soon.
“It is imperative to review these by-laws in order to meet the needs of the community, as well as to ensure effective and efficient rendering of services by Ekurhuleni cemeteries,” said the metro’s acting spokesman, Zweli Dlamini.
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