Open day invites visitors to use cemeteries as more than resting places for the dead
Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries hosted an open day to encourage the public to see Braamfontein Cemetery as a safe space for reflection, creativity, and heritage appreciation.
What is a cemetery, if not a place of memory? But can it be more?
On February 22, the Friends of Johannesburg Cemeteries (FoJC) set out to answer that question, hosting a pilot community engagement initiative at Braamfontein Cemetery aimed at reshaping public perception of the historic site.
Read more: Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo acknowledges Johannesburg cemetery storm damage
Under the theme: Stop into stillness. Share the space. Feel at ease, the open day invited members of the public to experience the cemetery beyond its traditional role as a burial ground.
FoJC member Antoinette Morgan said the idea took root last year, while the organisation was preparing to present its work. “One of the questions that came up was, what can you do with cemeteries, other than just being a cemetery? So, I said, why can’t we use it as a public space? Like a place where people can come and enjoy nature, and just enjoy the peace and quiet. People like to go to parks, but sometimes parks can get quite busy.”
Morgan said the group decided late last year to organise an open day where members of the public could draw, sketch, photograph, or simply spend time in the space.
Also read: Severe storm damages Braamfontein Cemetery, snapping trees like matchsticks
The initiative was run past Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, which supported the event. Morgan credited the entity for ongoing maintenance work, including keeping the lawns cut and leaves cleared, as well as installing perimeter fencing and providing security at the Enoch Sontonga entrance.
As part of the day’s programme, FoJC hosted a clean-up activity in line with its ongoing stewardship of the cemetery. Members were present throughout to answer questions and provide historical context about the site.
Visitors were also taken on a tour of the crematorium and how it works. The open day also paid homage to former FoJC member Gail Wilson, who was a great friend and was involved with the Joburg Photo Walkers and the urban sketches, where many came to know her. A memorial tree was planted for her in the memorial garden section.
The pilot forms part of broader efforts to encourage residents to see cemeteries not only as places of remembrance but as heritage spaces that can be respectfully shared and appreciated.
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