Public urged to renew family grave leases

ETHEKWINI Municipality is appealing to the public to renew their family grave leases and to claim all unclaimed family graves across the city. This is to ensure that all graves that are over 10 years old are leased by the owners. If not, the municipality reserves the right to reuse all unclaimed graves.

This will be done with full consideration of other agreements, including 25 and 50-year perpetuity-leased graves. The public has four months to come forward to lease, claim or renew lease agreements of graves.

This action is necessary as most city cemeteries are at high capacity. There are 65 cemeteries and two crematoriums across the city with around 9 600 burials and 1 200 cremations taking place annually. The Cemeteries and Crematorium Department is running short of burial space as there are only 17 active cemeteries currently. The remaining 48 cemeteries are full.

However, multiple burial alternatives can be accommodated at family graves that are being leased. Alternate solutions had to be sought as the population of Durban is increasing rapidly at approximately 4.5 per cent annually, according to the 2013 Census. Coupled with the high mortality rate, practical solutions are needed.

The department’s strategy is to review leased graves and invite the public to come forward and claim and lease family graves for multiple burials. The eThekwini Municipal Tariff permits the department to reuse graves older than 10 years. The strategy of utilising existing facilities for burials is to curb the problem of scarcity of land in the city.

A public notice has been made to inform the public to come forward and claim family graves. This will be further communicated through roadshows, pamphlets, radio announcements, online communication and notices at Sizakala Centres.